disinherit

verb

dis·​in·​her·​it ˌdis-in-ˈher-ət How to pronounce disinherit (audio)
-ˈhe-rət
disinherited; disinheriting; disinherits

transitive verb

1
: to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will)
2
: to deprive of natural or human rights or of previously held special privileges
disinheritance noun

Examples of disinherit in a Sentence

She threatened to disinherit her son and leave him penniless.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Related Articles Dear Abby: My husband was disinherited and nobody acknowledges the injustice My older brothers are planning the event. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 But in a twist worthy of a telenovela, Rivera disinherited Chiquis just two months before her death. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024 For speaking honestly in King Lear, Cordelia is disinherited and then executed by her lying sisters. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2024 Earlier this month, the California Supreme Court ruled against the niece, Brianna McKee Haggerty, finding that Bertsch’s later amendments that disinherited Haggerty were valid. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disinherit 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disinherit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near disinherit

Cite this Entry

“Disinherit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinherit. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

disinherit

verb
dis·​in·​her·​it ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈher-ət How to pronounce disinherit (audio)
: to deprive of the right to inherit

Legal Definition

disinherit

transitive verb
dis·​in·​her·​it ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈher-ət How to pronounce disinherit (audio)
: to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will) see also elective share
disinheritance noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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