disallow

[ dis-uh-lou ]

verb (used with object)

1. to refuse to allow; reject; veto:

   to disallow a claim for compensation.

2. to refuse to admit the truth or validity of:

   to disallow the veracity of a report.

disallow

/ ˌdɪsəˈlaʊ /

verb

1. to reject as untrue or invalid
2. to cancel

Derived Forms

• ˌdisalˈlowable, adjective
• ˌdisalˈlowance, noun

Other Words From

• disal·lowa·ble adjective
• disal·lowa·ble·ness noun
• disal·lowance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disallow¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Old French word desallouer. See dis- ¹, allow

Example Sentences

The Capitals had an early goal disallowed after replay review, and the contest went to the third period scoreless.

From Washington Post

Stefanski can’t coach the Browns remotely because the NFL has long disallowed any outside communication into games between kickoff and the final whistle.

From Washington Post

As significantly, by the end of 2022, Google will disallow the use of so-called third-party cookies on Chrome, the Google browser that accounts for more than 60% of global Internet use.

From Fortune

Meanwhile, California’s 2015 law disallows using the Washington Football Team’s former name or logo and bans schools from buying new equipment featuring that branding, but it allows them to continue using existing equipment until it wears out.

From FiveThirtyEight

And, you know, this country, the world really, has such a complicated history when it comes to drugs that are allowed or disallowed.

From Freakonomics

I refuse to disallow the Palestinians the right to their pain or their narrative, either.

From The Daily Beast

I refuse to disallow my people our right to our pain, or to our joy.

From The Daily Beast

I was opposed to this project, and besought the Viceroy to disallow it.

From Project Gutenberg

The physical history of our globe is a study the importance of which no one at the present day is likely to disallow.

From Project Gutenberg

They disallow that the good Samaritan and the Levite had exactly the same exterior stimuli.

From Project Gutenberg

The Secretary of State may at any time disallow or suspend any certificate given under this section.

From Project Gutenberg

Both the First and the Second Alkibiadês appear to me genuine, even upon the showing of those very critics who disallow them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• forbid
• rebuff