Added 9 October 2026
disavow
/dɪsəˈvaʊ/ verb
In Latin: diffiteor Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about disavow at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To strongly and solemnly refuse to own or acknowledge; to deny responsibility for, approbation of, and the like.
He was charged with embezzlement, but he disavows the crime.
-
To deny; to show the contrary of; to deny legitimacy or achievement of any kind.
Because of her dissatisfaction, she now disavows the merits of socialism.
Origin
From dis- + avow, or from Old French desavouer.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)