WordGarden.iodisinherit
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˌɪsɪnhˈɛrɪt/
US
- /dˌɪsɪnhˈɛrɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to prevent someone from inheriting property or money
Beyond the definition
Imagine an old family estate, passed down through generations. To disinherit someone is to remove their right to inherit that property—or any part of it. It's a serious act, usually reserved for situations where there has been a deep rift or wrongdoing. You might hear about a parent disinheriting a child who has consistently acted irresponsibly, or a wealthy relative disinheriting someone after a bitter feud. It isn't just about money; it often comes with a painful family break. Think of King Lear—his decision to disinherit his youngest daughter, Cordelia, because she wouldn't flatter him, set off a chain of events with disastrous consequences for the entire kingdom!
To disinherit someone means to legally deprive them of any inheritance they might otherwise have received, typically through a formal will. It's more than just leaving someone out; it's an active decision to exclude them from receiving anything—money, property, or possessions—after the death of the person making the will (the testator). In some places, the law limits how completely you can cut out certain relatives, so the details depend on local rules.
Historically, disinheritance was often used as a form of social control or punishment. In Shakespeare's plays, for example, disinheritance is frequently tied to power struggles and family drama. Today, it's usually done due to long-term estrangement, serious disagreements, or perceived misconduct by the potential heir. Because of its severity, a will that disinherits a primary heir can be legally challenged if there are questions about the testator's mental capacity or if there is evidence of undue influence from others.
The word itself comes from the Old French desheriter, meaning "to deprive of inheritance." While most commonly used in legal contexts relating to estates, people sometimes use it figuratively to mean being cut off from a shared legacy. For example, someone might say, "After years away, she felt disinherited from her family's stories and traditions." Ultimately, if you hear about someone being disinherited, it signifies a final, often painful, break—a permanent severing of financial ties and, frequently, familial bonds.
Examples
- 1
Family conflict
His mother threatened to disinherit him if he kept borrowing money from the family.
- 2
Marriage choice
He was disinherited after marrying against his father's wishes.
- 3
Fiction
In the novel, the old count disinherits his nephew over a gambling debt.
- Patterndisinherit someone over + problem
do it because of that problem
See also
Similar
- exclude from a will
- deprive of inheritance
- cut off
Shades of meaning
- write out of a will
- dispossess
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- disinherit a child
- disinherit someone in a will
- effectively disinherit
Word family
- disinheritance
- disinherited
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- disinheritverb
Forms
- disinheritedpast tenseverb
- disinheriting-ing formverb
- disinheritsverb