disinherit
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //dɪsɪnˈhɛrɪt//
KK: /dɪsɪnˈhɛrɪt/
transitive verb
Definition
To take away someone's right to receive property or money after someone dies, usually through a will.
Example
The father decided to disinherit his son due to his irresponsible behavior.
Tense Forms
Past: disinherited
Past Participle: disinherited
Conversation
Did you hear that Sarah's parents decided to disinherit her?
No way! What happened?
Apparently, they were upset about her career choice.
That's really harsh; I can't believe they would disinherit her over that.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
dispossess
exclude
deprive
Antonyms
inherit
bequeath
include
Root Explanation
Disinherit → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "inherit" (from Latin "hereditare", meaning to receive or inherit). The word describes the act of taking away someone's right to receive an inheritance, effectively separating them from it.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'separated' ('dis-') from what you would normally 'receive' ('inherit') — that's why disinherit means to take away someone's right to inherit.
Visually Confused Words
disherit
undisinherited
inherit