negate

IPA/nɪˈɡeɪt/
KK[nɪɡˈet]IPA/nɪˈɡeɪt/

negate — verb

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

1. to make something lose its effect or value, so that it no longer matters or make

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make something lose its effect or value, so that it no longer matters or makes a difference — for example, one factor cancelling out another, or an event undoing previous progress.

例句

Regular exercise can negate the harmful effects of sitting at a desk all day.

collocation: negate + effect / impact

Ignacio's careful budgeting was negated by an unexpected car repair bill.

passive: [something] was negated by [event]

同義詞
  • nullify

    stronger, more formal; suggests something is made completely void, often in legal contexts

  • cancel out

    more informal; describes two things that balance each other exactly

  • counteract

    implies active opposition to a force or effect, not just cancellation

反義詞
  • reinforce

    to strengthen or support, the opposite of weakening an effect

  • enhance

    to increase in value or effectiveness

文法句型

negate + noun phrase

be negated + by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in passive constructions to describe a situation where an outside factor undoes a positive outcome. Common in academic, professional, and business writing.

常見錯誤

❌The medicine negated.
✅The medicine negated the pain.
💡negate always needs a direct object; it cannot be used intransitively.
❌His hard work was negated.' (without stating what did it)
✅His hard work was negated by a single mistake.
💡the passive form is clearer when the cause is included.

2. to state or claim that something is not true, does not exist, or is not valid —

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to state or claim that something is not true, does not exist, or is not valid — for example, a person denying an accusation or evidence contradicting a widely held belief.

例句

Zola negated the theory by presenting data that showed the opposite results.

negate + theory / claim / hypothesis

Vivek firmly negated the accusation that he had cheated on the final exam.

同義詞
  • deny

    less formal, much more common in everyday speech; used for refusing to admit facts or accusations

  • refute

    stronger; implies proving something is false with evidence, not just stating it

  • rebut

    formal; used in legal or debate contexts for arguing against a claim

反義詞
  • affirm

    to state something as true; formal, often used in legal or philosophical contexts

  • confirm

    to show or say that something is definitely true

文法句型

negate + noun phrase

negate + that-clause (rare)

用法筆記

Highly formal register; in everyday conversation, 'deny' or 'dispute' sounds more natural. Typically used with nouns such as 'claim', 'theory', 'allegation', 'rumour', or 'evidence'.

常見錯誤

❌He negated to attend the meeting.
✅He denied attending the meeting.
💡use 'deny' (not 'negate') for refusing to admit an action.
❌She negated that she took the money.
✅She denied that she took the money.
💡'negate' rarely takes a that-clause; 'deny' is the natural word for this pattern.