disallow

verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ 

disallowed; disallowing; disallows

transitive verb

1

: to deny the force, truth, or validity of

2

: to refuse to allow

disallowance

ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s 

noun

Synonyms

• contradict
• deny
• disaffirm
• disavow
• disclaim
• disconfirm
• disown
• gainsay
• negate
• negative
• refute
• reject
• repudiate

Examples of disallow in a Sentence

The touchdown was disallowed because of a penalty.

disallowing the philosophical concept of free will

Recent Examples on the Web

Baker’s statement suggests that policy will change to disallow transgender athletes. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025

The sixth was a scrappy goal that could have been disallowed (Ibrahim Sangare might have handled the ball on the floor, replays looked inconclusive), but the seventh showed the extent to which the visitors had lost their composure. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

Dozens of subreddits have already agreed to disallow the sharing of any links to X, with moderators (volunteer Reddit users) agreeing to enforce the bans. —Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025

In a misguided ruling, a federal judge disallowed the NEA, depriving passengers of a third option in New York. —Ted Reed, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

disallow

verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ 

: to refuse to admit or allow : reject

disallow a claim

disallowance

-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s 

noun

Legal Definition

disallow

transitive verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdi-sə-ˈlau̇ 

1

: to deny the truth, force, or validity of

disallowed the deduction

disallow a bankruptcy claim

2

: to refuse to allow

disallow payment of benefits

disallowance noun