1. To refuse to accept or acknowledge one's duty, obligation, or accountability for something
The company tried to disown responsibility for the environmental damage caused by their factory.
A empresa tentou negar responsabilidade pelos danos ambientais causados pela sua fábrica.
2. To publicly reject or distance oneself from a commitment or obligation
He disowned responsibility for the project after it started failing.
Ele negou responsabilidade pelo projeto depois que começou a falhar.