negate
Meaning: To make something ineffective or invalid; to deny the existence or truth of something; to cancel out an effect or advantage.
Negate operates across philosophy, logic, science, and general usage. In logic and grammar, it means to deny or reverse a proposition. In broader contexts, it means to counteract or cancel out entirely — a late goal can negate an earlier lead. The word implies complete neutralisation rather than mere reduction.
Examples
- The beneficial effects of the new drug were negated by its severe side effects in a significant number of patients. 新药的有益效果被相当数量患者出现的严重副作用所抵消。Los efectos beneficiosos del nuevo fármaco quedaron negados por sus graves efectos secundarios en un número significativo de pacientes.新薬の有益な効果は、相当数の患者における重篤な副作用によって打ち消された。신약의 유익한 효과가 상당수 환자에게 나타난 심각한 부작용으로 인해 상쇄되었다.
- His refusal to engage with the evidence effectively negated any credibility his argument might have had. 他拒绝面对证据,实际上否定了其论点可能具有的一切可信度。Su negativa a abordar las pruebas negó de hecho toda credibilidad que pudiera haber tenido su argumento.証拠に向き合うことを拒否したことで、彼の主張が持ち得たあらゆる信頼性が事実上否定された。증거와 마주하기를 거부한 것이 그의 주장이 가질 수 있었던 모든 신뢰성을 사실상 부정해 버렸다.
- A single administrative error can negate weeks of careful preparation for an audit. 一个行政错误就可能使数周精心准备的审计工作前功尽弃。Un solo error administrativo puede negar semanas de cuidadosa preparación para una auditoría.たった一つの事務的ミスが、何週間にもわたる監査の入念な準備を台無しにし得る。단 한 번의 행정적 실수가 감사를 위한 수주간의 치밀한 준비를 물거품으로 만들 수 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, journalism, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin negare (to deny, say no), from nec (not). Entered English in the early 17th century. Related to 'negative' and 'negation.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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