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 of disown

• deny
• reject
• refute

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 same fiber that the broader industry is scrambling to disown is also winding deeper, tighter—and, indeed, faster—into the Chinese economy. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026

Everyone is looking for the next Sam Darnold, and there might not be a better candidate than Jones — the 2021 first-round pick disowned by a team in the AFC East only to spend a year with the 49ers before blossoming elsewhere. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

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

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