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

• 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

After a vigorous lobbying campaign, Congress adopted a half measure, disallowing sales taxes but retaining the deductibility of other subnational levies. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Video refereeing was used 39 times on the first day of the season, with one red card being corrected and three goals disallowed for offside. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

According to reports, it has been disallowed in settings of all kinds. —Keyaira Boone, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025

All food and liquid is disallowed between sundown on the eve of Yom Kippur until sundown the following day. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2025

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