negate

[ ni-geyt, neg-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ne·gat·ed, ne·gat·ing.

1. to deny the existence, evidence, or truth of:

   an investigation tending to negate any supernatural influences.

2. to nullify or cause to be ineffective:

   Progress on the study has been negated by the lack of funds.

verb (used without object)

, ne·gat·ed, ne·gat·ing.

1. to be negative; bring or cause negative results:

   a pessimism that always negates.

negate

/ nɪˈɡeɪt /

verb

1. to make ineffective or void; nullify; invalidate
2. to deny or contradict

Derived Forms

• neˈgator, noun

Other Words From

• ne·gator ne·gater noun
• rene·gate verb (used with object) renegated renegating
• self-ne·gating adjective
• unne·gated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of negate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin negātus “denied,” past participle of negāre “to deny, refuse,” from neg-, variant of nec “not”; neglect

Word History and Origins

Origin of negate¹

C17: from Latin negāre, from neg-, variant of nec not + aio I say

Example Sentences

Our task is to recognize the imperfections, to accept that the rules are part of our journey together, that they don’t fundamentally negate that an election took place and somebody won it under the rules that existed at the time.

From Slate

Although he had pulled away, he had not quite done enough to negate the penalty.

From BBC

“Our inability to be comfortable with doctors goes way back. We have a rightful distrust of the medical industry that we need to get over, but we are not going to negate that it came from somewhere and that it’s real.”

From Los Angeles Times

Taking on Israeli infantry and tanks now that south Lebanon has once more been invaded might negate some of Israel’s advantages in air power and intelligence.

From BBC

Matt Murphy, a former prosecutor who tried sex crimes and capital murder cases, said even if the brothers claims of sexual abuse were true, it doesn’t negate that they carefully planned and carried out their parents’ murders and went on a spending spree in the months that followed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate
• belie
• cancel out
• disallow
• disprove
• invalidate
• neutralize
• nullify
• rebut
• reverse
• undo
• vitiate
• void