Word
negate
Meanings
to make something ineffective by canceling it out or preventing it from having an effect
to prove that a statement or idea is not true; to deny
to make the value or effect of something equal to zero
Definition
To negate something is to make it no longer true or effective.
To negate means to cancel the effect of something or to show that it is not true. People often use it when one fact, action, or result removes the impact of another. It can also mean to deny a statement in a clear and direct way.
Examples
- A single mistake can negate months of hard work.
- The new evidence may negate his alibi.
- Skipping breakfast can negate the benefits of your workout.
- She tried to negate the rumor with a public statement.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse negate with negative and say “negate about something” instead of “negate something” or “negate the effect of something.”
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.