disown

[dis-ohn]

verb (used with object)

1. to refuse to acknowledge as belonging or pertaining to oneself; deny the ownership of or responsibility for; repudiate; renounce.

   to disown one's heirs; to disown a published statement.

   Synonyms: abjure, reject, disavow, disclaim

disown

/ dɪsˈəʊn /

verb

1. (tr) to deny any connection with; refuse to acknowledge

Other Word Forms

• disownment noun
• disowner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disown¹

First recorded in 1610–20; dis- ¹ + own

Example Sentences

Yet the ghost of Liz Truss lingers: despite their best efforts to politely disown her, the Conservatives' opponents will probably never lose their appetite for reminding voters of the calamity of her brief premiership.

From BBC

In court hearings, victims detailed how they had lost jobs, been evicted, dropped out of school or been disowned by friends and family.

From Los Angeles Times

That's not to say that Trump has actually disowned the richest man in the world.

From Salon

And the academics, in turn, disowned the state curriculum guide and created their own materials.

From Los Angeles Times

Ruby also disowned her daughter Shari, who was away at college.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disavow 
• discard 
• disclaim 
• renounce 
• repudiate 
• retract