Definition

The act of refusing to acknowledge or maintain a relationship with someone, often a family member.

Example

After the argument, he faced the painful disownment by his parents.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term disownment?

Yeah, it sounds pretty intense. What does it mean exactly?

It's when someone decides to cut ties with another person, often family.

That's really sad. I can't imagine doing that to someone I care about.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Disownment → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "own" (from Old English "agan", meaning to possess or have). The suffix "-ment" (meaning the action or result of) indicates the process of no longer possessing or acknowledging something. Thus, disownment refers to the act of no longer acknowledging or claiming someone as one's own.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'own' meaning 'to possess' — disownment is the act of separating oneself from possession or acknowledgment.

Visually Confused Words