disown

verb

dis·​own (ˌ)dis-ˈōn 

disowned; disowning; disowns

transitive verb

1

: to refuse to acknowledge as one's own

2

a

: to repudiate any connection or identification with

b

: to deny the validity or authority of

disownment

(ˌ)dis-ˈōn-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of disown in a Sentence

Her parents threatened to disown her if she didn't go back to school.

He was disowned for bringing shame to the family.

Recent Examples on the Web

This came as a blow to his wife, and precipitated their divorce; and proved the last straw for his parents, who disowned him. —The Week Uk, theweek, 13 Oct. 2024

His family, with the exception of Kayce, has basically disowned him. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024

Where our families, at one time, would disown us, most of us are welcomed and loved. —Robert Kesten, Sun Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2024

Virdee stars Staz Nair as a Bradford cop hunting down a serial killer, as his own life is in chaos after he is disowned by his family for crossing the religious divide when marrying his wife. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

disown

verb

dis·​own (ˈ)dis-ˈōn 

: to refuse to accept any longer as one's own : renounce, disclaim