disallow

verb

dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ How to pronounce disallow (audio)
disallowed; disallowing; disallows
Synonyms of disallownext

transitive verb

1
: to deny the force, truth, or validity of
2
: to refuse to allow
disallowance noun

Examples of disallow in a Sentence

The touchdown was disallowed because of a penalty. disallowing the philosophical concept of free will
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Colombia peppered him with shots from all parts of the attacking third, as seen below, and had three goals disallowed before Daniel Munoz’s deflected strike — cruelly — finally beat Mpasi on 76 minutes. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The Supreme Court recently voted down an attempt by the administration to disallow states from counting late-arriving mail-in ballots. Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026 But a video review ruled that Waldemar Anton had pushed Gill to the ground before the shot, and the goal was disallowed. Kyle Hightower, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The boxes come streaming down the belt and disallow this comradery’s lasting forever. Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disallow

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disallow was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Disallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disallow. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

disallow

verb
dis·​al·​low ˌdis-ə-ˈlau̇ How to pronounce disallow (audio)
: to refuse to admit or allow : reject
disallow a claim
disallowance noun

Legal Definition

disallow

transitive verb
dis·​al·​low ˌdi-sə-ˈlau̇ How to pronounce disallow (audio)
1
: to deny the truth, force, or validity of
disallowed the deduction
disallow a bankruptcy claim
2
: to refuse to allow
disallow payment of benefits
disallowance noun

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