disallow

/ˌˈdɪsəˌlaʊ/

/dɪsəˈlaʊ/

Other forms: disallowed; disallowing; disallows

When you disallow something, you prohibit it. Teachers usually disallow cell phones in their classrooms.

You're most likely to come across the verb disallow in official or formal contexts, like a list of rules in a courtroom or within the wording of a law. Referees often disallow certain actions in sports matches, and prison wardens disallow many kinds of behavior by prisoners. The word comes from allow, with its root allouen, "to praise, approve of, or be pleased with," with the Latin prefix dis in front, here meaning "do the opposite of."

Definitions of disallow

1. verb

   command against
   synonyms: forbid, interdict, nix, prohibit, proscribe, veto

   antonyms:

   allow

   consent to, give permission

   allow, grant

   let have

   types:

   ban

   prohibit especially by legal means or social pressure

   bar, debar, exclude

   prevent from entering; keep out

   enjoin

   issue an injunction

   criminalise, criminalize, illegalise, illegalize, outlaw

   declare illegal; outlaw

   ban, censor

   forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)

   type of:

   command, require

   make someone do something