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 Ecuadorian side immediately felt the goal should’ve been disallowed due to German midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic’s high boot that struck a player in the head. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026

The House Just Voted to Undo It The Oregon lawsuit asks the federal district court to disallow the Aloha Trout Forest Management Project. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026

Luis Diaz also had two goals disallowed in the space of two minutes, when there were 10 minutes left to play. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Iran appeared to score in the 26th minute off a free kick, only for the goal to be disallowed after a video review determined scorer Mehdi Taremi was offside. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disallow

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

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