disaffected

adjective

dis·​af·​fect·​ed ˌdis-ə-ˈfek-təd How to pronounce disaffected (audio)
Synonyms of disaffectednext
: discontented and resentful especially against authority : rebellious
disaffected youth

Examples of disaffected in a Sentence

The troops had become disaffected. Both political parties are looking for ways to regain the trust of disaffected voters.
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.
In other words, the age-old trance of acceptance has broken, and there are suddenly too many entrepreneurs capturing disaffected audiences by accusing legacy institutions of corruption and cowardice. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Since the 1850s, the health of the Republican Party has largely depended on its ability to build bridges between the agendas of wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, and Big Business on the one hand, and often-angry, disaffected populists on the other. Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026 Reaching new voters Most Democrats accept Texas’ GOP tilt, saying their best chance lies in attracting more younger voters, disaffected nonvoters, teachers, service workers and soft partisans who often skip nonpresidential elections. Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026 Like Clooney, Jay is from Kentucky, and the film includes a moment where one of the actor’s fans urges him to run for president, pressure Clooney often receives from disaffected liberals. Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disaffected

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disaffected was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Disaffected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disaffected. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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