disavow

[dis-uh-vou]

verb (used with object)

1. to disclaim knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for; disown; repudiate.

   He disavowed the remark that had been attributed to him.

   Synonyms: disclaim, reject, deny

disavow

/ ˌdɪsəˈvaʊ /

verb

1. (tr) to deny knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for

Other Word Forms

• disavowedly adverb
• disavower noun
• disavowal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disavow¹

1350–1400; Middle English disavouen, desavouen < Anglo-French, Old French desavouer. See dis- ¹, avow

Example Sentences

Federal officials also notably disavowed the need to conduct soil testing, insisting it would be too time-consuming.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Financial regulators have also explicitly disavowed the Biden administration's guidance on securities.

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He has repeatedly floated the possibility of firing Powell, only to quickly disavow the idea, which analysts say would rock financial markets and spark a legal battle.

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Nobody's asked her to disavow "Hot N Cold," just to have made more sensitive choices about her current "love frequency"-driven incarnation.

Read more on Salon

While Trump has disavowed any desire for Canada's lumber, energy stockpiles or manufactured products, in February Trudeau reportedly told a closed-door meeting of Canadian business and labour leaders that he saw it differently.

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Related Words

• contradict 
• disclaim 
• disown 
• forswear 
• impugn 
• repudiate