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Definition of validnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word valid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of valid are cogent, convincing, sound, and telling. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

When might cogent be a better fit than valid?

While in some cases nearly identical to valid, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is convincing a more appropriate choice than valid?

Although the words convincing and valid have much in common, convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

In what contexts can sound take the place of valid?

While the synonyms sound and valid are close in meaning, sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

Where would telling be a reasonable alternative to valid?

The words telling and valid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of valid Youth turkey licenses are valid for all three management units and season dates. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026 Cal Coast then filed a lawsuit accusing SDCCU of intentionally derailing the merger without a valid cause. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 The long-term lease for the iconic Little Havana cinema would be valid for a minimum of 20 years. Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 Tickets for this game will be valid for the eventual rescheduled date, the Bulls announced. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for valid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for valid
Adjective
  • Harbaugh seemed like a logical candidate, but Miami’s hiring of Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager — and not longtime Harbaugh colleague Chad Alexander — makes that fit less obvious.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Because those employees are in turn often availing themselves of Medi-Cal, Elhawary said, lawmakers see a logical path to taxing their employers in order to support the healthcare system at large.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That said, reasonable preparation can help even those familiar with international payment systems avoid high fees, long waits and general confusion.
    Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
  • That’s understandable and reasonable, and fans have every right to express their fandom through frustration when teams don’t live up to expectations.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The dispute was over timing and risk, not over whether these freedoms were coherent or desirable.
    Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
  • At a time when death metal bands are experimenting with new age and hardcore bands are embracing pop, Agriculture stand out by making their genre agnosticism feel proudly coherent, like these sounds were always meant to coexist.
    Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The differences between any given Grokipedia and Wikipedia entry are in some sense hard to debate because there is no shared ground upon which to have a reasoned disagreement; to gravitate toward Grokipedia is to leave the world of evidence for that of belief.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There seemed to be a rational acceptance of the outcome.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In the first half, the defensive activity and competitive spirit were far better against the league’s best team, a night after Miami came up woefully short in both of those areas against the league’s worst team.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Despite being given three power plays in the first, the B’s were not good at all on the man advantage.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • For families While certain areas of Zash feel distinctly grown-up, the citrus groves are hide-and-seek heaven, the pool is open enough to keep one eye on a brood with the other on a glass of Donna Fugata, and a sensible approach to timings makes the restaurant fair game too.
    Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Neither side wants to blink, and that’s a sensible M&A strategy — whoever talks first generally loses.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Valid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/valid. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on valid

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