What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disclaim
Example
The company disclaimed any responsibility for the faulty product. [disclaimed: past tense verb]
Example
The politician disclaimed any knowledge of the scandal. [disclaimed: past participle verb]
disown
Example
The father disowned his son after he was convicted of a crime. [disowned: past tense verb]
Example
She decided to disown all her material possessions and live a minimalist lifestyle. [disown: present tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disclaim is more commonly used in formal writing, particularly in legal contexts. Disown is less common but is still used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disclaim and disown?
Disclaim is more formal than disown and is typically used in legal or professional contexts. Disown is more casual and is used in personal or informal contexts.
