What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
negate
Example
The evidence presented in court negated the defendant's alibi. [negated: past tense]
Example
The medicine negated the effects of the poison. [negated: verb]
counteract
Example
Eating healthy foods can help counteract the negative effects of stress. [counteract: verb]
Example
The new policy was put in place to counteract the rise in crime rates. [counteract: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counteract is more commonly used than negate in everyday language. Counteract is a more versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while negate is less common and is typically used in formal or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between negate and counteract?
While negate is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, counteract is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
