disavow

Verb

Verb Forms: disavowed, disavowing, disavows

• To deny responsibility for; to disclaim knowledge of.
• refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with
  • "Her husband disavowed her after 30 years of marriage and six children"
• To strongly and solemnly refuse to own or acknowledge; to deny responsibility for, approbation of, and the like.
• To deny; to show the contrary of; to deny legitimacy or achievement of any kind.

Examples

• Because of her dissatisfaction, she now disavows the merits of fascism.
• He tried to disavow the strange, non-dictionary word he played, but the challenge stood.
• He was charged with embezzlement, but he disavows the crime.

Synonyms

abjure, deny, disclaim, disown, disprove, impugn, reject, repudiate

Antonyms

avow, accept, own up, prove

Related Words

disavowal, disavowed