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
  • Atletico were angered by Barcelona’s long pursuit of Antoine Griezmann, which saw Griezmann decide to stay in summer 2018 but move to the Camp Nou twelve months later.
    Ali Rampling, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities.
    Stephen Whyno, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • The hearing was told that Eckert had sent people to spy on fellow Championship sides Oxford and Ipswich, but had been displeased with the quality of their findings.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 20 May 2026
  • Patel hasn’t been reluctant to fight back against reporting that displeases him.
    David Bauder, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Union Pacific hasn’t commented publicly on the president’s remarks, but risks infuriating the president by denying them privately to investors all the same.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
  • Those exemptions — and the government stipends many seminary students receive up to the age of 26 — have infuriated many Israelis.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Ever been annoyed after Windows setup that your user folder has a weird name?
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
  • The suspension is a nice blend between comfort and sport—the sweet spot where breaks in the asphalt don’t annoy, yet body roll never feels excessive.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Sokoloff blamed Mejia himself for alienating city officials and motivating them to cut his resources.
    Rafael Perez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
  • Some of the unions and Indigenous groups rallying against Paz are allied with Morales, whose attempts to hold onto power longer than the constitution allowed alienated much of his once-vast base and led to his fraught 2019 ouster.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • After a series of coups by officers dissatisfied with lagging counterterrorism efforts, juntas in the three countries booted France altogether, establishing close ties with Russia instead.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Before his sudden death last summer, Brooke had been estranged from Hulk, and her husband Steven Oleksy told PEOPLE that the WWE legend never met their twin babies, Hulk's grandchildren.
    Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
  • The two were estranged at the time; still, as next of kin, O’Neill was tasked with the choice of whether to donate his organs.
    Arizona O'Neill, Longreads, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Kris Rogers is a Land Park community advocate outraged by the new program, which allows needle exchanges in a mobile RV positioned within several library branch parking lots.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 14 May 2026
  • But the video, which came out three weeks ago, has outraged many of the business class.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 6 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster