negate
/ni'geit/
Definition
- Verb:
- To make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of something: To nullify or cancel out the force, effect, or validity of something.
- To deny the existence or truth of something: To assert that something is not true, does not exist, or is invalid.
- To prove negative; show to be false: To demonstrate that a statement, hypothesis, or proposition is incorrect.
- To be in contradiction with: To logically conflict with or be the opposite of something.
Usage
- The verb "negate" is used to describe the action of rendering something void, false, or ineffective. It is often used in formal, logical, scientific, or legal contexts.
- It can take a direct object (e.g., "negate an argument") or be used in passive constructions (e.g., "the effect was negated").
Examples
- Verb:
- The new evidence seemed to negate the previous theory.
- Adding too much sugar can negate the health benefits of the meal.
- He did not negate the allegations; he simply refused to comment.
- Her apology did not negate the hurt caused by her words.
Advanced Usage
- In logic and philosophy: "Negate" refers to the operation of forming a proposition that is true if and only if the original proposition is false.
- To form the contrapositive, you must negate both the hypothesis and the conclusion.
- In legal contexts: Used to describe invalidating a clause or an effect.
- The subsequent agreement negated the terms of the original contract.
Variants and Related Words
- Negation (n): The act of negating; a denial, contradiction, or negative statement.
- His silence was interpreted as a negation of their proposal.
- Negative (adj): Expressing or meaning denial, refusal, or prohibition; lacking positive qualities.
- She received a negative response to her application.
Synonyms
- Nullify: To make legally null and void; to cancel out.
- Invalidate: To make something logically unsound or legally ineffective.
- Contradict: To assert the opposite of a statement made by someone.
- Deny: To state that something is not true or does not exist.
Antonyms
- Affirm: To state something as true; to confirm.
- Validate: To confirm or prove the accuracy or legitimacy of something.
- Confirm: To establish the truth or correctness of something.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Negate the need for: To eliminate the necessity of something.
- The invention of email negated the need for frequent postal mail.
- Self-negating: Describing an action or statement that undermines or contradicts itself.
- His promise to be honest followed by a lie was a self-negating act.
Verb
-
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
-
Her optimism neutralizes his gloom
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This action will negate the effect of my efforts
-
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prove negative; show to be false
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deny the truth of
-
be in contradiction with
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