disavow

/ˌˈdɪsəˌvaʊ/

/dɪsəˈvaʊ/

Other forms: disavowed; disavowing; disavows

To disavow is to deny support for someone or something. You might feel dissed if your biggest donor decides to suddenly disavow you in your run for president.

Disavow comes from a combination of the Old French prefix des- meaning "opposite of" and the word avoer meaning to "acknowledge, accept, recognize." When you disavow, you are doing the opposite of acknowledging or accepting. You're rejecting or denying. When you disavow something you've done in the past, you reject or deny what you've done.

Definitions of disavow

1. verb

   refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with
   “Her husband disavowed her after 30 years of marriage and six children”

   antonyms:

   avow

   admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about

   types:

   deny

   refuse to recognize or acknowledge

   type of:

   deny

   declare untrue; contradict