1
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
he steadfastly disowned that he was having an affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to refuse
to refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as one's responsibility
the dictatorial father angrily disowned his rebellious son
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 disown
Ruby ultimately disowned Shari, which led her to cease all communication with her mother.
—
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Turning the job down, Kristofferson pursued a career in music, a choice that led to his family disowning him.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2024
If Immacolata is disowning her unequivocally, Lenù hopes at first to find maternal leniency in Adele.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2024
Well, my sister did not receive an invite and now my family has completely disowned me.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disown 
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Turning the job down, Kristofferson pursued a career in music, a choice that led to his family disowning him.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2024
If Immacolata is disowning her unequivocally, Lenù hopes at first to find maternal leniency in Adele.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2024
Well, my sister did not receive an invite and now my family has completely disowned me.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disown
Verb
-
In 2023, mortgage applications from Black borrowers were denied twice as often as those from white borrowers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
-
There’s no denying that being a member of a bridal party is a commitment.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Three were transported to nearby hospitals to receive treatments, and one refused medical help.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The couple also worried that refusing the request would cause a major fight and possibly result in the MIL refusing to attend the wedding altogether.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Jordan is home to more than 2 million Palestinians and, along with other Arab states, has flatly rejected Mr. Trump's plan to relocate civilians from Gaza.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
While some Gazans have rejected emigration, others see it as their only hope.—
Efrat Lachter,
Fox News,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
While Kansas public health officials called it the largest U.S. concentration of the disease since recording began in the 1950s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has refuted this, citing two larger episodes in the past.—
Cory Franklin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Nicole’s lawyer, Bruce Weil of law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, refutes that claim, saying that Dr. Wertheim never made such an offer.—
Kerry A. Dolan,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near disown
Cite this Entry
“Disown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disown. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share