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
  • Starmer also has angered supporters with attempts to cut welfare spending, some of which were reversed after Labour revolts.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 May 2026
  • Buyers were angered after finding out that the new features would be released later than expected, the filing said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Patel hasn’t been reluctant to fight back against reporting that displeases him.
    David Bauder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Brown, 28, would leave Philadelphia after being displeased with his production and the performance of the Eagles’ offense, which employed five different coordinators in as many years.
    Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Her three opponents have accused her of mismanaging the office, presiding over growing legal payouts and making a series of missteps that infuriated members of the City Council.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The non-meat use of the term came from the online chat room community, which by the late 1980s was already using it to denote a mass influx of data into their chat rooms that could trigger a computer crash and/or annoy chat room users.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
  • As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the president doesn’t get annoyed with him once or twice.
    NBC news, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s Joel Schumacher’s 1993 revenge thriller about a fed-up white Angeleno who embarks on a violent odyssey across an alienating urban hellscape to reunite with his daughter.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2026
  • The two disagreed on whether data centers should connect to the grid, with Neugebauer alienating a potential customer.
    Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Democrats: No evidence of 'imminent threat' Democrats came away from their conversations with Rubio and other top administration officials woefully dissatisfied.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
  • But that shift also dissatisfied school leaders, provoking protests ahead of a Jan. 20 Jefferson County Board of Education meeting.
    Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After, the series stars Sadie Soverall as Percy and Matt Cornett as Sam, estranged childhood friends who reunite as adults.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • Court records show Abugharbieh has been estranged from his family since 2023.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • But the video, which came out three weeks ago, has outraged many of the business class.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
  • Orlando was right to be outraged.
    Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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