disillusion

1 of 2

noun

dis·​il·​lu·​sion ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-zhən 

: the condition of being disenchanted : the condition of being dissatisfied or defeated in expectation or hope

suffered romantic disillusions

disillusion

2 of 2

verb

disillusioned; disillusioning ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-zhə-niŋ 

transitive verb

: to free from illusion

also : to cause to lose naive faith and trust

The job disillusioned her about working in retail.

disillusionment

ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-zhən-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• disabuse
• undeceive
• disenchant

Examples of disillusion in a Sentence

Verb

Working at that store for six months was enough to disillusion me about retail work.

we were disillusioned when we saw how the movie star acted in real life

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Love, disillusion, independence, and disgrace follow. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

Diminishing political and social returns — ideas that start from good intentions only to end in frustration and disillusion — seem to plague most attempts at addressing America’s structural problems, which remain and persist. —Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Verb

Despite efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and other rights of marginalized groups, Jim doesn't get disillusioned. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 June 2025

He was disillusioned when afterward England and France grabbed Germany’s colonies instead of freeing them. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disillusion

• malocclusion
• reperfusion
• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion

Kids Definition

disillusion

verb

dis·​il·​lu·​sion

ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-zhən

disillusioned; disillusioning

-ˈlüzh-(ə-)niŋ

: to free from mistaken beliefs or foolish hopes

a loss that disillusioned the fans

disillusionment

-ˈlü-zhən-mənt

noun