disclaim

verb

dis·​claim dis-ˈklām How to pronounce disclaim (audio)
disclaimed; disclaiming; disclaims

intransitive verb

1
: to make a disclaimer
2
a
obsolete : to disavow all part or share
b
: to utter denial

transitive verb

1
: to renounce a legal claim to
2
: deny, disavow
disclaimed any knowledge of the contents of the letter

Examples of disclaim in a Sentence

the prisoner disclaimed any part in the prank her spokesperson flatly disclaimed the marriage rumor circulating in the press
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or was the report merely compiling existing information and disclaiming accuracy of its opinions? Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025 Research presented by Oliver and her colleague, state viticulturist Dr. Horst Caspari, projects climate trends that could benefit growers while disclaiming extreme weather events can become more unpredictable and pose unprecedented hazards. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025 The poll disclaims a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 If the person disclaiming property had no children at the time of death, the assets may go to their siblings or other relatives. Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disclaim

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French disclaimer, from dis- + claimer to claim

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disclaim was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disclaim. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

disclaim

verb
dis·​claim dis-ˈklām How to pronounce disclaim (audio)
: to deny being a part of or responsible for : disown
the student disclaimed any part in the prank

Legal Definition

disclaim

intransitive verb
dis·​claim dis-ˈklām How to pronounce disclaim (audio)
: to make a disclaimer

transitive verb

1
: to reject or relinquish a claim to (as an interest in an estate)
2
a
: to deny or reject the right, validity, or authority of
b
: to negate or limit the rights under (a warranty)
disclaimant
-ˈklā-mənt
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disclaim

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!