Disavow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˌdis-ə-ˈvau̇/ dis·avow

Meaning & Definition of Disavow

Disavow (verb)

  1. to deny responsibility for, repudiate
  2. to refuse to acknowledge or accept, disclaim

Disavow (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to declare not to be true

    "disavowed the testimony that she had given earlier in the trial"

    similar: contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, refute, reject, repudiate
    related: traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute
    opposite: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
    near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

  2. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as one's responsibility

    "the government will disavow any knowledge of your mission"

    similar: deny, disclaim, disown, repudiate, wash one's hands of
    related: contradict, disallow, gainsay, negate, negative, refuse, reject, challenge, confute, criticize, disprove, rebut, refute, dispute, question, abdicate, abjure, recant, renounce, retract
    opposite: acknowledge, avow, claim, own, recognize
    near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, admit, concede, confess, grant, affirm, announce, assert, aver, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disavow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disavow:

contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, refute, reject, repudiate, wash one's hands of

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disavow

Words with the opposite meaning of Disavow:

acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own, claim, recognize

Related Words for Disavow

traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute, refuse, criticize, question, abdicate, abjure, recant, renounce, retract

Near Antonyms of Disavow

accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify, confess, grant

Word Forms of Disavow

Inflections: disavowed, disavowing, disavows

Derived words: disavowable (adjective), disavowal (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Disavow

Middle English desavowen, from Anglo-French desavouer, from des- dis- + avouer to avow

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Disavow

What does "Disavow" mean?

"Disavow" means to deny responsibility for, repudiate. As a verb, it is defined as: to deny responsibility for, repudiate. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disavow"?

Other words for "Disavow" include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown and gainsay. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disavow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disavow"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disavow". Common alternatives include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate and negative.

What is the opposite of "Disavow"?

Antonyms of "Disavow" include acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own and claim. Near antonyms include accept, adopt, embrace and espouse.

How do you use "Disavow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disavow" in a sentence: "disavowed the testimony that she had given earlier in the trial"; "the government will disavow any knowledge of your mission".

Is "Disavow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disavow" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Disavow"?

"Disavow" is pronounced /ˌdis-ə-ˈvau̇/ and divided into syllables as dis·avow.

What is the origin of the word "Disavow"?

"Disavow" comes from Middle English desavowen, from Anglo-French desavouer, from des- dis- + avouer to avow. First known use: 15th century.