disown

verb

dis·​own (ˌ)dis-ˈōn 

disowned; disowning; disowns

transitive verb

1

: to refuse to acknowledge as one's own

2

a

: to repudiate any connection or identification with

b

: to deny the validity or authority of

disownment

(ˌ)dis-ˈōn-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• contradict
• deny
• disaffirm
• disallow
• disavow
• disclaim
• disconfirm
• gainsay
• negate
• negative
• refute
• reject
• repudiate

Examples of disown in a Sentence

Her parents threatened to disown her if she didn't go back to school.

He was disowned for bringing shame to the family.

Recent Examples on the Web

The role of vandalism may be different in each situation, but it should not be disowned outright. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Chaos ensues when Vincent’s disowned son Rocco, his girlfriend Marina and Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth abruptly show up to spoil the festivities with an ominous warning: Vincent’s former associate and famed gangster Leftie, and his new sidekick Lonnie, are coming for them. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025

The two had been estranged since the early 2000s when Sam came out as gay, which led to her father disowning her. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025

According to Valorie, the rift began when Sam came out as gay, prompting her father, Garry, to disown her. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disown

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

disown

verb

dis·​own (ˈ)dis-ˈōn 

: to refuse to accept any longer as one's own : renounce, disclaim