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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disaffect contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and estrange are common synonyms of disaffect. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," 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

When is alienate a more appropriate choice than disaffect?

While in some cases nearly identical to disaffect, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When can estrange be used instead of disaffect?

The words estrange and disaffect can be used in similar contexts, but estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disaffect Sanders-Warren backers see Mr. Trump as a symptom of deeper woes, of the desperation of long-struggling voters disaffected by the recent economic prescriptions of both parties. Jacob M. Schlesinger, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2020 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, 13 Dec. 2019 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, 6 Sep. 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, 18 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for disaffect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disaffect
Verb
  • Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement has angered many Americans by wearing masks while on duty, attacking peaceful protesters and arresting mostly people with no criminal record.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • From a religious perspective, King Edward IV passed these laws on the grounds that God was displeased by anything other than modest clothing – for the lower classes, anyway.
    Michael Watson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Evidently, the result displeased Kinahan’s syndicate, which seemed to have expected the horse to lose.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That defeat denied Indianapolis a playoff appearance and infuriated the man in charge of it all.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The lack of details about the operations has infuriated members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • These ideas, first aired on his Substack, have, not surprisingly, alienated some fans of his earlier environmental writing.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Singling us out as victims of multiracialism alienates us from our fellow-South Africans and harms relationships that have been fostered over the past 30 years.
    Kate Bartlett, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The protagonist tacks between monikers, dissatisfied by what each represents.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The event intends to create a conservative alternative for viewers dissatisfied with the football league's direction.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After Lorelai's teen pregnancy pushed her to build a life in Stars Hollow, the Gilmores' subsequently estranged and sometimes contentious relationships blossomed into complexity, love and sharp family humor.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The message of community appeared not only to resonate with younger voters who have felt estranged from politics and city life, but to draw them out and get them off their phones—to rally, to canvass, and to vote.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Rocha responded the next day with a video statement on the Miss Universe social media accounts, saying he was outraged by the treatment of Bosch.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The thought that a cannabis retail store could one day open near his youth hockey training center in Stillwater has outraged LumberYard Hockey and Sports Center co-owner Lee Erickson.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

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