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Glite Dictionary
to disclaim

to disclaim

5 7.3
Say officially that you do not have a right, responsibility or part in something
  • verb
  • /dɪsˈkleɪm/
  • Formal
translation icon : renunciar
  • Proponents of trading sometimes disclaim any need for government oversight by invoking free market metaphors.
  • disclaim responsibility

We'd have a lot of upset end users unless we disclaim the heck out of it.

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Examples

  • Although most people can't imagine disclaiming an inheritance, there are sometimes good reasons to do so.

    Blog text (18)

  • We denounce crime, and... and yet we... we disclaim any responsibility for it.

    Knock on Any Door (1949)

  • Whatever the circumstances, we must disclaim any knowledge of you.

    Arabesque (1966)

  • Since you disclaim all knowledge, I think the thing to do is to keep this production running.

    Terror Firmer (1999)

  • And I, for my part, have long ago disclaimed any responsibility for him.

    The Keys of the Kingdom (1944)

  • Wilson immediately disclaimed any appearance that he supported such a council.

    Academic text (2005)

  • When people like my friend or Styron do this, they are disclaiming ulterior motives.

    Academic text (1998)

  • When biologists appeal to the naturalistic fallacy, they disclaim responsibility for the potential social ramifications of their research.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Now, let me say again that while our country deplores the unfortunate... ...incidents that have occurred within the sovereign boundaries... ...of our law abiding neighbor, Camibia, we disclaim any involvement.

    MegaForce (1982)

  • In his statement, he chose to disclaim any connection to the controversial project.

Synonyms

to renounce
vsto disclaim
  • Formal
69 6.3

To give up a right, belief, job, or position officially

is more about denying responsibility rather than surrendering rights
to recant
vsto disclaim
  • Formal
44 8.6

Say publicly that you no longer believe something you said before

is about denying or giving up legal claims or responsibilities rather than beliefs
to disavow
vsto disclaim
  • Formal
33 7.7

To say you are not responsible for or connected to something

also covers formally giving up claims or rights, not only denying connection
to abjure
vsto disclaim
  • Formal
3 9.9

To give up a belief or support publicly under pressure

is a neutral formal denial or abandonment without oath emphasis

Antonyms

to claim
∞ 2.3

To say something is true, often without proof

to claim
588 3.4

To ask for and receive something you have a right to, like lost baggage

to acknowledge
367 3.8

To admit that something is true or real

How Firm

to disown
37 5.8
to renounce
  • Formal
69 6.3
to disclaim
  • Formal
5 7.3
to waive
  • Formal
107 6.6
to deny
∞ 2.0

Surface Forms

disclaim infinitive
disclaimed past
disclaimed past participle
disclaiming present participle
disclaims third person singular

Morphology

disclaim = claim (semi-transparent) = dis + claim

The connection to 'claim' is clear, but the formal sense 'renounce or deny responsibility or rights' is somewhat more specialized than a simple opposite of 'claim'.

Etymology

Disclaim comes from the parts dis- meaning 'not' or 'away' and claim meaning 'to ask for or say something belongs to you', the same root you see in proclaim and exclaim. So to disclaim is to say you do not claim something — to deny responsibility or give up a right.