disallow

verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ 

disallowed; disallowing; disallows

transitive verb

1

: to deny the force, truth, or validity of

2

: to refuse to allow

disallowance

ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s 

noun

Synonyms of disallow

• deny
• reject
• refute

Examples of disallow in a Sentence

The touchdown was disallowed because of a penalty.

disallowing the philosophical concept of free will

Recent Examples on the Web

The family has also not been permitted to hold mourning ceremonies, and several mosques in Marivan were reportedly disallowed from hosting memorial services. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Rasmus Hojlund had an equaliser disallowed for the harshest of handball calls before skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo levelled and limited the damage to Napoli’s title defence. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Edmundson, who had a goal disallowed earlier, found a loose puck and cranked a slap shot. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

UConn had an apparent winning goal disallowed for off-side, and the winning goal was allowed to stand after a review for interference. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disallow

• anyhow
• carabao
• disavow
• allow
• avow
• basedow
• chiao
• endow
• eyebrow
• highbrow
• lanao
• meow

Kids Definition

disallow

verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ 

: to refuse to admit or allow : reject

disallow a claim

disallowance

-ˈlau̇-ən(t)s 

noun

Legal Definition

disallow

transitive verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdi-sə-ˈlau̇ 

1

: to deny the truth, force, or validity of

disallowed the deduction

disallow a bankruptcy claim

2

: to refuse to allow

disallow payment of benefits

disallowance noun