disclaim

American  

[dis-kleym] / dɪsˈkleɪm /

verb (used with object)

1. to deny or repudiate interest in or connection with; disavow; disown.

   disclaiming all participation.

2. Law. to renounce a claim or right to.

3. to reject the claims or authority of.

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verb (used without object)

1. Law. to renounce or repudiate a legal claim or right.

2. Obsolete. to disavow interest.

disclaim British  

/ ˌdɪskləˈmeɪʃən, dɪsˈkleɪm /

verb

1. (tr) to deny or renounce (any claim, connection, etc)

2. (tr) to deny the validity or authority of

3. law to renounce or repudiate (a legal claim or right)

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Usage

What does disclaim mean? Disclaim most generally means to deny any involvement or interest in something—to disavow or disown. It’s often used in a legal context to reject responsibility for something or to renounce a claim or the rights to something. The noun form of disclaim is disclaimer, which refers to a statement or document intended to limit the responsibility or legal liability of a company, organization, or person. Disclaimers typically claim that the party issuing the disclaimer is NOT responsible for certain risks or is NOT affiliated with certain other parties—they make as many statements as they can to disclaim any responsibility. Example: It says right here that the parties to this contract disclaim any responsibility for lost revenue resulting from the agreement.

Other Word Forms

• disclamation noun
• undisclaimed adjective

Etymology

Origin of disclaim

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French disclaimer, desclamer. See dis- ¹, claim

Explanation

To disclaim is to deny, usually in order to avoid blame. If you push your brother and he trips and falls, you might disclaim responsibility for the action, saying he is just clumsy. If you decide to go skydiving, the company you dive with will likely you ask you to sign a disclaimer of liability. This is a form that says you will not sue the company if you injure yourself on the dive. In it, they disclaim liability for your undertaking this dangerous activity. Obligations to do something and product warranties can also be disclaimed which means that they will not be honored.

Example Sentences

The law treats people who disclaim as though they died, and looks to their designated beneficiaries and the law as to who inherits next.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

If all heirs disclaim, does the trust remain responsible for the property until it is sold, or would it revert to the timeshare company?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

After you have estimated the cost of repairs and determined the equity and debt, you’ll be able to decide whether to keep the home, sell it, or disclaim the inheritance.

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2022

“As a result, we have made the difficult decision to disclaim interest in this unit. While we had hoped to avoid this outcome, today’s action begins the process of granting Council 118’s request.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 11, 2022

Phineas would be the first to disclaim any great mental power in himself.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• disavow
• disown