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Disinherit: meaning, definitions and examples

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disinherit

 

[ ˌdɪsɪnˈhɛrɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

family

To exclude someone from inheriting one's property or possessions, typically a family member.

Synonyms

cut off, disown.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disinherit

Primarily used in legal or familial situations where someone decides not to leave inheritance to a family member, usually due to family conflicts or disagreements.

  • After years of disagreement with his son, the old man decided to disinherit him from his will
cut off

Often used in both formal and informal situations to describe ending financial or emotional support, or ceasing communication with someone. It can imply a sudden and complete severance.

  • After finding out about her betrayal, he decided to cut off all ties with her
  • As a strict measure, his parents cut him off financially when he refused to find a job
disown

Used to formally reject someone as a family member or deny any association with them, often due to serious misconduct or irreconcilable differences. This term carries a strong, negative connotation.

  • The politician decided to disown his brother after he was arrested for fraud
  • Her parents threatened to disown her if she didn't give up her controversial career

Examples of usage

  • He decided to disinherit his son after a heated argument over the family business.
  • The will stated that she would disinherit anyone who contested its contents.

Translations

Translations of the word "disinherit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deserdar

🇮🇳 उत्तराधिकार से वंचित करना

🇩🇪 enterben

🇮🇩 mencabut hak waris

🇺🇦 позбавити спадщини

🇵🇱 wydziedziczyć

🇯🇵 相続権を剥奪する

🇫🇷 déshériter

🇪🇸 desheredar

🇹🇷 mirasından mahrum etmek

🇰🇷 유산을 박탈하다

🇸🇦 حرمان من الميراث

🇨🇿 vydědit

🇸🇰 vydediť

🇨🇳 剥夺继承权

🇸🇮 razdediniti

🇮🇸 svipta arfi

🇰🇿 мұрагерліктен айыру

🇬🇪 მემკვიდრეობის უფლების ჩამორთმევა

🇦🇿 mirasdan məhrum etmək

🇲🇽 desheredar

Etymology

The word 'disinherit' originated from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'do the opposite of' and 'inherit' meaning 'receive property from someone after their death'. The concept of disinheriting has been present in various legal systems throughout history, often used as a means of punishing or excluding family members for various reasons.

See also: inherit, inheritance, inherited, inheritor, inheritrix.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,988 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.