Disown — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /(ˌ)dis-ˈōn/ dis·own

Meaning & Definition of Disown

Disown (verb)

  1. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own
  2. to repudiate any connection or identification with
  3. to deny the validity or authority of

Disown (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to declare not to be true

    "he steadfastly disowned that he was having an affair"

    similar: contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, 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 dictatorial father angrily disowned his rebellious son"

    similar: deny, disavow, disclaim, 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 Disown

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disown:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disown

Words with the opposite meaning of Disown:

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

Related Words for Disown

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

Near Antonyms of Disown

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

Word Forms of Disown

Inflections: disowned, disowning, disowns

Derived words: disownment (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Disown

First known use: 1630

Frequently Asked Questions about Disown

What does "Disown" mean?

"Disown" means to refuse to acknowledge as one's own. As a verb, it is defined as: to refuse to acknowledge as one's own. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disown"?

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

What are different ways to say "Disown"?

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

What is the opposite of "Disown"?

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

How do you use "Disown" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disown" in a sentence: "he steadfastly disowned that he was having an affair"; "the dictatorial father angrily disowned his rebellious son".

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

"Disown" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Disown"?

"Disown" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈōn/ and divided into syllables as dis·own.

What is the origin of the word "Disown"?

First known use: 1630.