Synonyms of disaffect

disaffect

verb

ˌdis-ə-ˈfekt 

1

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring

the candidate tried to win over disaffected voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• infuriate
• alienate
• estrange
• outrage
• alien
• enrage
• sour
• annoy
• disgruntle
• sever
• irritate
• disappoint
• antagonize
• embitter
• aggravate
• divide
• bother
• disunite
• rile
• inflame
• disillusion
• dissociate
• exasperate
• split
• rankle
• roil
• irk
• vex
• madden
• sunder
• incense
• uncouple
• envenom
• separate
• disenchant
• unyoke
• pique
• unlink
• chafe
• break up
• bug
• grate
• gall
• nettle
• peeve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reconcile
• appease
• placate
• disarm
• pacify
• conciliate
• ingratiate
• endear
• mollify
• propitiate

2

as in to displease

to make discontented

the troops were disaffected by the extension of their tours of duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• displease
• annoy
• dissatisfy
• irritate
• discontent
• disturb
• alienate
• upset
• estrange
• disgruntle
• agitate
• depress
• perturb
• disquiet
• irk
• discompose
• aggrieve
• sadden
• nettle
• peeve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfy
• please
• gratify
• content
• delight
• tickle
• soothe
• calm
• gladden
• tranquilize

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

Recent Examples of disaffect

Though many fans have turned their backs on the mope-rocker for his baffling anti-immigrant stance, many more have tucked their heads into the sand to hold onto the moody, disaffected lyrics that so explained our teenaged selves to us. — Michelle Tea, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Mar. 2023

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