disallow

American  

[dis-uh-lou] / ˌdɪs əˈlaʊ /

verb (used with object)

1. to refuse to allow; reject; veto.

   to disallow a claim for compensation.

2. to refuse to admit the truth or validity of.

   to disallow the veracity of a report.

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disallow British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈlaʊ /

verb

1. to reject as untrue or invalid

2. to cancel

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Other Word Forms

• disallowable adjective
• disallowableness noun
• disallowance noun

Etymology

Origin of disallow

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Old French word desallouer. See dis- ¹, allow

Example Sentences

"I don't see, with the VAR, how you can disallow that goal. That's a shame to be honest. It is what it is and it's nothing we can control."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The existing players in cybersecurity provide businesses with complex firewalls: software that identifies customers’ internal users of data, and tools that allow or disallow access to information for parties external to the customer.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

Already incensed after a decision to disallow a Senegal goal in the 93rd minute, head coach Pape Thiaw tried to usher his team off the field, and several Senegal players left for the dressing room.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

Manchester City's 2-0 win over Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final was overshadowed by a contentious decision to disallow a goal from Antoine Semenyo in the second half.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

Or after Granny died and wasn’t there anymore to disallow it, why didn’t he take the stuff to his own house?

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• forbid
• rebuff