Definition of DISAFFECT

Choose the Right Synonym for disaffect

estrange, alienate, disaffect mean to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty. estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement. his estranged wife alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest. managed to alienate all his coworkers disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation. troops disaffected by hunger

Examples of disaffect in a Sentence

the troops were disaffected by the extension of their tours of duty

Recent Examples on the Web Dina Litovsky for The New York Times Here’s at least one sign that some young adults are disaffected with dating apps. — Jennifer Miller, New York Times, "Maybe the Best Way to Find Love Is … Not on an App?," 6 Sep. 2019 Yang has honed in on a message of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, touted the need for a nationwide universal basic income and boasted about his ability to reach voters who have become disaffected by national politics. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "Andrew Yang has defied expectations. Can he turn that into a 2020 win?," 13 Dec. 2019 One danger for the prime minister is that on election day conservative voters disaffected by the looming corruption charges could abandon him for other right-wing parties, or for an opposition bloc. — Washington Post, "How Corruption Clouds Netanyahu’s Re-election Effort," 8 Apr. 2019 And that adds to its appeal for supporters disaffected from the moneyed elites who run the former British colony, organizers say. — Christopher Bodeen, chicagotribune.com, "Hong Kong opposition movement largely without leaders," 18 June 2019 In their run to the last four, England re-engaged with a fanbase disaffected by decades of failure at international tournaments, most notably in a humiliating exit to Iceland at Euro 2016. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Kane: 'there's a great future' for England after World Cup run," 12 July 2018 Many militants are disaffected by poverty and unemployment, and some have reportedly traveled to regional countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia, for religious or military training, according to a study released last month in Maputo. — Washington Post, "Extremist attacks rise in energy-rich province in Mozambique," 11 June 2018 And for the seasonally disaffected among us, that glorious big bang can’t come soon enough. — Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "Where Spring Is in Full Bloom," 5 Apr. 2018 Bryn Mawr has been picking up clients disaffected by larger banks. — Joseph N. Distefano, Philly.com, "Citizens and rival Philly banks seeing slow loan growth but say 2018 will get better," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disaffect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.