disavow
verb (used with object)
to disclaim knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for; disown; repudiate.
disavowed
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past participleof disavow.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof disavow.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
disavowverb (used with object)to disclaim knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for; disown; repudiate.
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.
She has been disavowed by lawmakers across the Democratic spectrum, from Blue Dog centrist Rep. Josh Gottheimer to democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
From Slate ● May 22, 2026
Bessent quickly disavowed the idea, but Trump last summer told allies he liked the concept of announcing a successor early.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
He later defended his comments and said that he had been using hyperbole to make a point, adding that he disavowed racists and that media reports had ignored the context of his comments.
From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2026
In both cases the comments were immediately disavowed by the White House.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2025
He disavowed nothing: he seemed as if he would defy all things.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
