disagree
Americanverb (used without object)
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to fail to agree; differ.
The conclusions disagree with the facts. The theories disagree in their basic premises.
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to differ in opinion; dissent.
Three of the judges disagreed with the verdict.
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to quarrel.
They disagreed violently and parted company.
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to cause physical discomfort or ill effect (usually followed bywith ).
The oysters disagreed with her. Cold weather disagrees with me.
verb
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to dissent in opinion (from another person) or dispute (about an idea, fact, etc)
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to fail to correspond; conflict
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to be unacceptable (to) or unfavourable (for); be incompatible (with)
curry disagrees with me
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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
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
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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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.
“In the spirit of Disagree and Commit I would like to respectfully request that you reconsider the decision,” the employee wrote in the ticket, which was shared with The Seattle Times.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023
As Sielecki notes, “The Respect But Disagree is quite important for your video to be popular.”
From The Verge • Aug. 1, 2021
Disagree with her position, yes; deny its legitimacy, never.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2020
Disagree with them and campaign against them by all means but haway - we’re better than this.
From BBC • Nov. 11, 2019
Disagree with him one could hardly help; one could never fail to respect him.
From James Fenimore Cooper American Men of Letters by Lounsbury, Thomas Raynesford
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.
