disavowed
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌdɪsəˈvaʊd/
KK: /dɪsəˈvaʊd/
adjective
Definition
Strongly denied or rejected, often in a formal way.
Example
The politician disavowed any connection to the scandal.
Conversation
Did you hear about the politician who disavowed his previous statements?
Yeah, it was all over the news!
I can't believe he would disavow something he said just a month ago.
It's crazy how quickly they can change their minds!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
renounced
rejected
disowned
Antonyms
accepted
acknowledged
endorsed
verb
Definition
To deny any responsibility for something or to refuse to accept something as true or valid.
Example
He disavowed any knowledge of the incident during the investigation.
Tense Forms
Past: disavowed
Past Participle: disavowed
Conversation
Did you hear that Jenna disavowed her support for that project?
Yeah, I saw that post. It was surprising!
I wonder what made her change her mind so suddenly.
Root Explanation
Disavowed → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "avow" (from Old French *avouer*, meaning to acknowledge or confess). The word "disavowed" means to deny or reject acknowledgment of something, essentially to take away the acknowledgment.
Memory Tip
Think of 'taking away' ('dis-') the 'acknowledgment' ('avow') of something — that's why disavowed means to deny or reject acknowledgment.
Visually Confused Words
avowed