negate

/nɪˈɡeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /nɪˈɡeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ni-ˈgāt/ (ame, mw)

negate — verb

  • negatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • negateshe / she / it
  • negatedpast simple
  • negating-ing form

1. to take away the result or impact of something that has already happened, so tha

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to take away the result or impact of something that has already happened, so that it no longer counts or works

例句

One careless email from Eitan negated weeks of careful trust-building with the client.

negate + abstract noun (effort, work, progress)

Heavy rain on race day negated the advantage that Tendai had built up in training.

negate + advantage / benefit

同義詞
  • nullify

    very close in this sense; slightly more formal/legal

  • cancel out

    everyday phrasal-verb equivalent for the same idea

  • counteract

    focuses on the active opposing force, not the final wiped-out state

  • undermine

    weakens gradually rather than wiping out completely

反義詞
  • reinforce

    the opposite move — strengthens what was already there

  • preserve

    keeps the effect intact rather than removing it

文法句型

negate + noun

用法筆記

Object is usually something good that was built up (effort, benefit, advantage, progress); subject is the new thing that wipes it out.

常見錯誤

❌The rain negated me from going outside.
✅The rain stopped me from going outside.
💡'negate' does not take a person + 'from' pattern; use 'stop' or 'prevent' for that.

2. to state firmly, especially in writing or in argument, that something is not tru

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to state firmly, especially in writing or in argument, that something is not true or does not exist

例句

The fresh evidence from the lab clearly negates the theory that Niran's team published last year.

negate + theory / claim / hypothesis

Defence lawyers tried to negate the witness's account by pointing to security camera footage.

negate + account / statement (legal-style register)

同義詞
  • refute

    argues against and disproves; stronger evidential commitment than 'negate'

  • contradict

    says the opposite, not necessarily with proof

  • disprove

    demonstrates with evidence that a claim is false

反義詞
  • confirm

    shows the claim is true

  • affirm

    formally states the claim is true; same register as 'negate'

文法句型

negate + noun (claim, idea, theory)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: here the object is a statement, claim, or belief (something that can be true or false), not an effect or benefit. Common in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

常見錯誤

❌She negated the cake by saying it was not tasty.
✅She criticised the cake by saying it was not tasty.
💡'negate' is not used for personal opinions about everyday things; reserve it for arguments and claims.