disown

verb

dis·​own (ˌ)dis-ˈōn How to pronounce disown (audio)
disowned; disowning; disowns
Synonyms of disownnext

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 noun

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
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.
Glen Powell plays a charming guy disowned by his wealthy family when he was born. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026 When Mary won’t give up the baby, she’s disowned by patriarch Whitelaw (Ed Harris) and exiled to New Jersey from her family’s palatial Long Island estate. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026 Becket is broke, disowned and circling a family fortune that never wanted him. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026 They may be cut off from financial resources, disowned, or stripped of personal property and communal safety nets. Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disown

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disown was in 1630

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disown. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

disown

verb
dis·​own (ˈ)dis-ˈōn How to pronounce disown (audio)
: to refuse to accept any longer as one's own : renounce, disclaim

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