Definition of disaffectnext

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
  • But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The United States has now given Russia, China, and anyone else who wants to give it a try a road map for invading countries and capturing leaders who displease them, with a lawlessness that by comparison makes the 2003 invasion of Iraq seem as lawyered up as a bank merger.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Trump has also extracted settlements from ABC and CBS News in lawsuits over stories that displeased him, and is suing the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
    David Bauder, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Raman’s entry into the race, hours before the filing deadline, shocked the city’s political elite and infuriated the mayor’s supporters.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Rosebush Pruning, by contrast, feels designed to annoy us and push us away.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
  • In this short 4-minute video from CoComelon, baby JJ does a number of things that may hurt or annoy someone near him, including sitting on his sister’s painting and slurping loudly on his juice.
    Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As for Bregman, the signing that alienated Devers?
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The trip was exhausting, expensive and slightly alienating for me.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When Iranian leaders moved to cut spending on subsidies that help Iranians afford basic essentials, thousands of protesters already dissatisfied with Iran’s political leadership finally took to the streets.
    Shooka Bidarian, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • His 2-3 playoff record came after a long dissatisfying postseason stretch from Chan Gailey (0-2), Bill Parcells (0-2), Phillips (1-2) and before McCarthy (1-3).
    Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Gingles, by his own account, is estranged from his parents, according to his jail calls.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Of those, 24% were estranged from a sibling, 16% from a parent, 10% from a child, 9% from a grandparent and 6% from a grandchild.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Spikes in the public charges in the recent past have outraged Connecticut consumers who pay the third highest electric rates in the nation, behind Hawaii and California.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But the news of Tesla’s windfall outraged some in the trucking industry, who allege the state provided the world’s wealthiest automaker with preferential treatment for a vehicle that is not ready.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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