as in denial
a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement
the mayor's disavowal of the rumor that a terrorist threat had been received put our minds at rest
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Recent Examples of disavowal
Mamdani initially tried to stay on-message, offering a quick disavowal of an unsavory association or controversial past statement and pivoting back his agenda.
—
Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
As the administration’s immigration enforcement continues to provoke a national debate, the rare public disavowal by Miller’s cousin underscores how the far-reaching effects of federal policy can reverberate through private lives, fracturing even close family bonds.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The post marks a significant shift from the President’s past disavowals of the unpopular right-wing policy blueprint, which was created by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation ahead of the 2024 election.
—Connor Greene, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Anderson saw something in the artist formerly known as Marky Mark, who’d only made the transition from musical artist to actor three years earlier, that Wahlberg still doesn’t see in himself, if his disavowal of the movie is any indication.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
On display here is a crisis of disavowal, in which architects are relegated to playing mad scientists in a lab completely cut off from the world.
—Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
As the administration’s immigration enforcement continues to provoke a national debate, the rare public disavowal by Miller’s cousin underscores how the far-reaching effects of federal policy can reverberate through private lives, fracturing even close family bonds.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The post marks a significant shift from the President’s past disavowals of the unpopular right-wing policy blueprint, which was created by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation ahead of the 2024 election.
—Connor Greene, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Anderson saw something in the artist formerly known as Marky Mark, who’d only made the transition from musical artist to actor three years earlier, that Wahlberg still doesn’t see in himself, if his disavowal of the movie is any indication.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
On display here is a crisis of disavowal, in which architects are relegated to playing mad scientists in a lab completely cut off from the world.
—Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disavowal
Noun
-
Fossil fuel production is still increasing, driving up planet-warming pollution; the United States is in climate denial mode; and turbulent geopolitics have pushed the climate crisis down the agenda and into the culture wars.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Neither is convinced by Nixon’s denials of wrongdoing during Watergate.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After numerous rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned deadly.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
-
To many, the woman’s rejection symbolized deeper concerns around communication and respect in relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disavowal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disavowal. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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