disinherit

/ˈdɪsənˌhɛrɪt/

Other forms: disinherited; disinheriting; disinherits

When you disinherit someone, you decide not to leave that person anything in your will. Your eccentric grandfather might threaten to disinherit you because of your dirty fingernails.

You need to have written a will — a document that lists where you want your money and property to go after your death — in order to disinherit someone. When your wealthy relative actually removes your name from her will, she officially disinherits you. The word inherit is at the heart of disinherit, with its old-fashioned meaning, "make someone an heir." When you add the Latin prefix dis, "not," you take away the inheritance altogether.

Definitions of disinherit

1. verb

   prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting
   synonyms: disown

   antonyms:

   bequeath

   leave or give by will after one's death

   leave, leave behind

   be survived by after one's death

   give, impart, leave, pass on

   transmit (knowledge or skills)

   type of:

   deprive

   keep from having, keeping, or obtaining