negate
UK: nɪˈɡeɪt | US: nɪˈɡeɪt
vt. to deny or nullify the existence or truth of something
vt. to make ineffective or invalid
vt. (logic) to reverse the truth value of a proposition
The word "negate" traces back to the Latin negare, which combines the root neg- (denial) with the frequentative suffix -are. It entered English in the early 16th century via the Latin past participle negatus, retaining its core meaning of denial or cancellation. The logical use emerged later, aligning with the formalization of propositional logic in the 19th century.
The study's findings negate previous assumptions about the disease.
A single error can negate hours of careful work.
In logic, to negate a statement is to assert its opposite.
His apology did little to negate the damage caused by his words.
The new evidence may negate the need for further investigation.