disclaim
gb/dɪsklˈeɪm/ us/dɪsklˈeɪm/
C1
English
~ 7400
elhárítja a felelősséget, elhatárolódik, lemond
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to disclaim [responsibility] for [something]
The company publicly disclaimed any responsibility for the data breach.
A vállalat nyilvánosan elhárított minden felelősséget az adatszivárgásért.
The minister quickly disclaimed any involvement in the leaked report.
A miniszter gyorsan tagadta, hogy bármi köze lenne a kiszivárgott jelentéshez.
In the press conference, she disclaimed all knowledge of the deal.
The author disclaimed any connection with the unauthorized translation.
The organization has formally disclaimed any role in the protest.
Learner examples
The company disclaimed responsibility for the accident.
A vállalat nem vállalt felelősséget a balesetért.
He disclaimed any knowledge of the stolen money.
Azt állította, hogy semmit sem tud az ellopott pénzről.
The leader disclaimed all involvement in the crime.
The bank disclaimed responsibility for the lost documents.
The actor disclaimed any connection to the gossip story.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use "disclaim" without an object, for example *"He disclaimed"* on its own. In normal use, you almost always need to say what is disclaimed, such as "He disclaimed any involvement." Another common mistake is to say *"He disclaimed that he was involved"*; instead, say "He disclaimed any involvement" or "He disclaimed being involved." Learners also confuse the verb "disclaim" with the noun "disclaimer"; "disclaimer" is the written or spoken statement, while "to disclaim" is the action of making such a statement.
Meaning
deny responsibility or connection
Collocations
disclaim responsibility
|disclaim all liability
|disclaim any involvement
|disclaim any knowledge
|formally disclaim
|explicitly disclaim
Synonyms
deny (More common and general; not as strongly associated with formal or legal language as "disclaim".)
|
disavow (Very close in meaning but often stronger and slightly more literary, suggesting rejecting any connection.)
Antonyms
accept responsibility (Direct opposite: to admit that you are responsible instead of rejecting responsibility.)
|
acknowledge (Opposite in that you openly accept a connection or fact instead of denying it.)
Themes
law
|communication
|business
|ethics
Definition
To say clearly that you are not responsible for something and not involved in it.
To state officially or firmly that you are not responsible for, involved in, or connected with something.
C2
TECHNICAL
2
lemond
B2
Usage pattern:
to disclaim [a right/interest/claim]
Under the terms of the will, she chose to disclaim her inheritance in favor of her children.
A végrendelet feltételei szerint úgy döntött, hogy gyermekei javára lemond az örökségéről.
The partner decided to disclaim any interest in the joint venture.
Az üzlettárs úgy döntött, hogy lemond a közös vállalkozásban fennálló bármilyen érdekeltségéről.
Buyers may not disclaim the warranty unless they sign a separate agreement.
He filed a document to disclaim title to the disputed land.
The charity formally disclaimed its claim to the estate.
Learner examples
He decided to disclaim his inheritance for tax reasons.
Úgy döntött, hogy adózási okokból lemond az örökségéről.
The company will not disclaim its legal rights under this contract.
A cég nem fog lemondani az e szerződésből eredő jogairól.
She signed a form to disclaim her interest in the house.
The lawyer advised him not to disclaim the money.
They chose to disclaim any claim to the property.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this legal sense with the more general sense of denying responsibility. In legal documents, "disclaim" often means giving up a right (for example, money or property), not simply saying you are not responsible. Also, learners sometimes use "refuse" instead of "disclaim" in legal writing; in this context, "disclaim" is more precise when talking about rights or claims.
Meaning
formally renounce a legal claim
Collocations
disclaim an inheritance
|disclaim an interest
|disclaim a claim
|disclaim a warranty
|disclaim title to property
|formally disclaim
Synonyms
renounce (Very similar, but used more broadly; not limited to legal rights and slightly more formal or literary in everyday contexts.)
|
waive (Common legal/business term for giving up a right, often used for rules and protections rather than property shares.)
Antonyms
assert (Opposite in a legal context: to positively claim or insist on a right instead of giving it up.)
|
retain (Opposite in that you keep and continue to hold a right or interest instead of giving it up.)
Themes
law
|business
|finance
Definition
To say in a legal way that you do not want a right or claim, for example money or property that you could receive.
To formally state, especially in a legal context, that you give up or refuse a right, claim, or interest that you could have.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disclaim
IPA
GB/dɪsklˈeɪm/
US/dɪsklˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
dis - claim (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (claim)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: disclaim
- 3rd Person Singular: disclaims
- Present Participle: disclaiming
- Past: disclaimed
Word family
Forms
disclaims
verb
disclaiming
verb
disclaimed
verb
Core family
disclaimer
noun B1
Expressions
disclaim all liability
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ˈɔl lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
deny any legal responsibility
To say that you have no legal responsibility for possible damage or loss.
Examples
- The manufacturer disclaims all liability for damage caused by misuse of the product.
- The website terms of use expressly disclaim all liability for user-generated content.
disclaim an inheritance
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ən ɪnhˈɛɹɪtəns/
fixed phrase
technical
formally refuse an inheritance
To say in a legal way that you do not want to receive money or property that someone left you when they died.
Examples
- For tax reasons, he decided to disclaim the inheritance left by his uncle.
- In some jurisdictions, you must disclaim an inheritance within a set time limit.
disclaim an interest in
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ən ˈɪntɚˌɛst ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
renounce a legal interest in something
To say in a legal way that you no longer want your share or right in something, such as a business or property.
Examples
- The partner agreed to disclaim his interest in the firm as part of the settlement.
- She signed a document to disclaim her interest in the family business.
disclaim any involvement
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ˈɛni ɪnvˈɑlvmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
deny taking part in something
To say clearly that you did not take part in an action or event.
Examples
- The minister disclaimed any involvement in the illegal payments.
- Both companies disclaimed any involvement in the price-fixing scheme.
disclaim any knowledge of
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ˈɛni nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
formal
deny knowing about something
To say that you do not know anything about something.
Examples
- The suspect disclaimed any knowledge of the missing documents.
- She calmly disclaimed any knowledge of the secret account.
disclaim responsibility
1/dɪsklˈeɪm ɹispˌɑnsɪbˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
formal
deny being responsible for something
To say clearly that you are not responsible for something.
Examples
- The airline was quick to disclaim responsibility for the delayed flights.
- Local officials tried to disclaim responsibility for the poor road conditions.