disagree
Americanverb (used without object)
-
disagrees,
present (3rd person singular)
-
disagreed,
past participle, past
-
disagreeing
present participle
-
to fail to agree; differ.
The conclusions disagree with the facts. The theories disagree in their basic premises.
-
to differ in opinion; dissent.
Three of the judges disagreed with the verdict.
-
to quarrel.
They disagreed violently and parted company.
-
to cause physical discomfort or ill effect (usually followed bywith ).
The oysters disagreed with her. Cold weather disagrees with me.
verb
-
to dissent in opinion (from another person) or dispute (about an idea, fact, etc)
-
to fail to correspond; conflict
-
to be unacceptable (to) or unfavourable (for); be incompatible (with)
curry disagrees with me
-
to be opposed (to) in principle
Usage
What is a basic definition of disagree? Disagree means to not agree or to differ. Disagree can also mean to have different opinions or to cause physical discomfort. If two things disagree, they don’t match and most likely clash with each other. For example, the belief that pigs are able to fly disagrees with all scientific knowledge of pigs. The noun form of disagree is disagreement.
- Real-life examples: Countries often have plans that disagree with other countries’ plans. Scientists and historians often make discoveries that disagree with earlier information.
- Used in a sentence: When you measure a board twice and the measurements disagree, you should measure the board again.
- Real-life examples: People often angrily disagree with each other on social media. Political parties often disagree on many social issues. You may disagree with your friends on what the best flavor of ice cream is.
- Used in a sentence: My brother thinks green is the best color, but I disagree and think blue is the best.
- Real-life examples: If you have lactose intolerance, milk will disagree with you and will cause stomach aches and other problems if you drink it. Rotten food will probably disagree with you and cause food poisoning or vomiting.
- Used in a sentence: I try to stay inside in the winter because cold weather really disagrees with me.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
disagreesimple
-
disagreessimple
-
have disagreedperfect
-
has disagreedperfect
-
am disagreeingprogressive
-
are disagreeingprogressive
-
is disagreeingprogressive
-
have been disagreeingperfect progressive
-
has been disagreeingperfect progressive
Past
-
disagreedsimple
-
had disagreedperfect
-
was disagreeingprogressive
-
were disagreeingprogressive
-
had been disagreeingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of disagree
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, Middle French desagreer; equivalent to dis- 1 + agree
Explanation
When two people disagree, they have completely different opinions about something. You might disagree with your sister about whether chocolate or vanilla ice cream is the most delicious. Use the verb disagree to talk about what happens when you have a conflict or a difference of thought about something with another person. People disagree about politics, food, sports, and movies — there is no subject that won't cause most people to find a way to disagree. The word comes from combining the Old French agreer, "to receive with favor or take pleasure in" with the Latin prefix dis, which here means "do the opposite of."
Vocabulary lists containing disagree
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The New SAT: The Language of the Test
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"While we thank the jury for their consideration, we strongly disagree with today's verdict and the damages awarded, which are entirely unsupported by the facts," Apple said.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
I don’t disagree with any of that, but the most important aspect of Bequelin and Wang’s analysis gets a little buried beneath a forest of impeccably organized policy details.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
As Johns Hopkins art historian Stephen J. Campbell recounts in his 2020 book, “Andrea Mantegna: Humanist Aesthetics, Faith, and the Force of Images,” scholars agree to disagree.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
“While we disagree with the court’s ruling, UC will always seek to foster a welcoming environment that protects both freedom of expression and the fundamental rights of all members of our community,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
“And bring Javier,” Esperanza said, and she shut the door before Moss could disagree.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
There are also times when the audience strongly disagrees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
McGill disagrees and said she feels his "remorse is only for himself".
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
“State Farm General strongly disagrees with Los Angeles County’s characterization of our wildfire claims response,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
The public disagrees about how to view murder in light of mental illness and the particular burdens shouldered by mothers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
“These disappearances seem to me to be linked. The Ministry disagrees — as you may have heard, while waiting outside my office.”
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Bush, disagreed and published a dissenting opinion Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said the move was because "inflation is too high and has been for too long", though Trump disagreed with the decision.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
They disagreed with each other on many issues.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
His friend and casting director Kirsty McGregor, who cast “Colin” and “Last Seen,” disagreed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Like no matter if we got in an argument or disagreed on something she was still gonna be my girl.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
“Maybe this is one place where people who are excellent at disagreeing with each other can all kind of agree that there ought to be a space for us,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
Obviously, someone disagreeing with you isn’t workplace mistreatment or abuse.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the outlier in the decision, agreeing with the court’s judgment but disagreeing with its justification.
From Salon ● Jul. 2, 2026
Mr. Christakis defended his wife before a group of angry students for nearly an hour, vigorously disagreeing with them without ever retreating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
“Oh, come on now,” Jake said, disagreeing mostly out of habit.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
