disavow

What does “disavow” mean?

verb.to deny any responsibility or support for.

SAT Usage

this term is often found in contexts involving politics, personal relationships, or ethical dilemmas. It emphasizes a formal rejection of association or accountability, suggesting a deliberate distancing from previous beliefs or actions, which differs from mere disagreement or disapproval.

Common Confusions

Disavow implies a formal rejection of responsibility or support, while deny usually suggests a refusal to acknowledge the truth of a claim or accusation without the same level of distancing from previous beliefs or actions.

Example Sentences

• He was charged with embezzlement, but he disavows the crime.

• Because of her dissatisfaction, she now disavows the merits of fascism.

• He moved to disavow the remark once it became public.

Word Parts: How to Remember “disavow”

Break “disavow” into its parts: di- (apart, away). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: di- apart, away (Latin)