Disclaim Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disclaim

[dɪsˈkleɪm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

legal

To deny any connection or responsibility for something. To refuse to acknowledge or accept any legal claim or responsibility.

Synonyms

deny, disavow, reject, repudiate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disclaim	This word is often used in legal or formal situations to indicate that someone is refusing to accept responsibility or connection with something. The company disclaimed any responsibility for the faulty product. He disclaimed any knowledge of the plans.
deny	Used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that someone is stating something is not true. It can often have a defensive tone. She denied stealing the money. The politician denied the allegations against him.
reject	Commonly used in both formal and informal settings to indicate refusal to accept, agree with, or believe something. It has a broad application. The committee rejected the proposal after much discussion. She rejected the job offer because it didn't meet her expectations.
disavow	Typically used in more formal contexts to show strong rejection or refusal, often regarding statements, actions, or affiliations. It signifies a more forceful distancing from something. The candidate disavowed the controversial comments made by his supporter. The organization disavowed any involvement in the scandal.
repudiate	Used mainly in formal and academic texts to indicate strong and complete rejection, often of ideas, theories, or affiliations. It has a stronger implication than 'reject' and often has a negative tone. He repudiated the accusations made against him in the press. The scientist repudiated the theory as unfounded.

Examples of usage

I must disclaim any involvement in the fraudulent activities.
The company disclaimed any liability for the damages caused.
The website disclaimed responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

A statement that denies any legal responsibility for something. A formal refusal to accept a legal claim or responsibility.

Synonyms

denial, disavowal, rejection, repudiation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disclaim	When someone wants to formally declare that they do not accept responsibility or association with something, especially in legal contexts. The company disclaimed any responsibility for the customer's data loss. She disclaimed any knowledge of the event.
denial	When someone fails to accept the truth of a statement or a reality, often in situations where the truth is evident or widely accepted. His denial of the allegations did not convince anyone. She was in denial about her health issues.
rejection	When someone refuses to accept, approve, or believe something, often in more general or everyday scenarios. She felt hurt by his rejection of her proposal. The rejection of the application was disheartening for him.
disavowal	Used when formally rejecting or denying any association or endorsement of something, often in official statements. The politician's disavowal of the controversial speech was taken seriously. His disavowal of the group's activities was essential to clear his name.
repudiation	When formally or strongly rejecting or denying something, often in legal, political, or moral contexts; sometimes has a negative connotation due to the strong nature of refusal. The government’s repudiation of the previous administration’s policies was unexpected. His repudiation of their demands led to further conflict.

Examples of usage

The disclaimer on the website stated that the company was not liable for any errors.
The contract included a disclaimer regarding the use of the product.
His disclaimer of ownership was met with skepticism by the authorities.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

In legal contexts, a disclaimer is often used in contracts to protect one party from liability by clarifying the extent of their responsibilities.
Disclaimers are common in advertising, where businesses seek to limit legal liability for claims they make about products.

Pop Culture

Many television shows and movies include disclaimers at the start to inform viewers about the content, such as parental guidance or viewer discretion.
In video games, disclaimers often warn players about potential health risks from prolonged play or graphic content.

Philosophy

One philosophical concept explores the idea of disowning thoughts or beliefs to foster a more open-minded attitude towards new ideas.
Disclaiming personal ownership of an idea can encourage collaborative thinking and shared creativity.

Communication

In public speaking, speakers often use disclaimers to clarify their position or limit the scope of their statements for transparency.
Effective communicators use disclaimers to establish boundaries, ensuring that audiences understand the context of what is being said.

Origin of 'disclaim'

Main points about word origin

The word 'disclaim' comes from the Latin 'disclamare,' which means 'to deny or reject,' combining 'dis-' and 'clamare' (to call).
This term began appearing in the English language around the late 15th century and has its roots in legal terminology.

The word 'disclaim' originated from the Old French word 'desclamer', which meant 'to disavow or disown'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The prefix 'dis-' signifies negation or reversal, while 'claim' comes from the Latin 'clamare', meaning 'to shout'. Therefore, 'disclaim' can be interpreted as 'to shout against' or 'to deny'. Over time, the word has been primarily used in legal contexts to indicate a formal denial of responsibility or connection.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,637, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20634 baritone
20635 inhale
20636 devolve
20637 disclaim
20638 immobility
20639 disgruntled
20640 stealth
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