disinherit

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verb dis·in·her·it \ ˌdis-in-ˈher-ət , -ˈhe-rət \

Definition of disinherit

transitive verb

1 :to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will)

2 :to deprive of natural or human rights or of previously held special privileges

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disinheritance

play \-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s, -ˈhe-rə-\ noun

See disinherit defined for English-language learners

See disinherit defined for kids

Examples of disinherit in a Sentence

She threatened to disinherit her son and leave him penniless.

Recent Examples of disinherit from the Web

At the beginning, he had been reviled and disinherited by his harsh warrior father Randyll Tarly, who sent him to the Night's Watch where he was mocked and abused.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "John Bradley's Sam Tarly proves a different kind of hero on HBO's 'Game of Thrones'," 13 Aug. 2017
The rest of the verdict was for a series of moves through which Roberta Dickson essentially disinherited Shook.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "Family feud: Mother uses bankruptcy to keep daughter from collecting $3.2M verdict," 26 July 2017
Some, for example, decide to disinherit an unloving child.

— leonard schwarz, The Mercury News, "Money Manners: Plan to inherit nothing and you won’t be disappointed," 15 June 2017
But upon learning that his uncle had disinherited two of his children for marrying non-Jews, Lieberman got the will revised.

— peter beinart, The Atlantic, "Say It Ain't So Joe!," 19 May 2017
Many states have laws in place protecting a surviving spouse from being disinherited, so your father’s wife could claim up to half of the value of the house, regardless of your father’s will.

— amy dickinson, The Denver Post, "Ask Amy: Daughter wonders what’s behind inheritance," 26 Mar. 2017
Remember that among the disinherited there’s a mystic language.

— nancy princenthal, New York Times, "Raymond Pettibon: Pictures, Literary Voices and Surfers, Too," 30 Dec. 2016
Keryn Redstone has asserted that she has been disinherited of $6 million and potentially $1 billion more.

— emily steel, New York Times, "Inside the Battle for Sumner Redstone’s $40 Billion Media Empire," 18 Aug. 2016
This hurricane disinherited the meek, who were supposed to inherit the earth.

— by michael browning, miamiherald, "A desolated landscape: the toll of Hurricane Andrew," 25 Aug. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disinherit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of disinherit

Middle English

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First Known Use: 15th century

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DISINHERIT Defined for English Language Learners

disinherit

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verb

Definition of disinherit for English Language Learners

: to prevent (someone, such as your daughter or son) from having the legal right to receive your money or property after you die

DISINHERIT Defined for Kids

disinherit

play

verb dis·in·her·it \ ˌdi-sᵊn-ˈher-ət \

Definition of disinherit for Students

disinherited; disinheriting

:to take away the legal right to receive money or property from at death

The millionaire disinherited his son.

Law Dictionary

disinherit

play

transitive verb dis·in·her·it \ ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈher-ət \

legal Definition of disinherit

:to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will) — see also elective share

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disinheritance

play \-ˈher-ə-təns\ noun

Learn More about disinherit

Spanish Central: Translation of disinherit Nglish: Translation of disinherit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of disinherit for Arabic speakers

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disinherit

Definition of disinherit

disinheritance

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Examples of disinherit in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disinherit from the Web

Origin and Etymology of disinherit

DISINHERIT Defined for English Language Learners

disinherit

Definition of disinherit for English Language Learners

DISINHERIT Defined for Kids

disinherit

Definition of disinherit for Students

Law Dictionary

disinherit

legal Definition of disinherit

disinheritance

Learn More about disinherit

Seen and Heard

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