as in to disabuse
to free from mistaken beliefs or foolish hopes
we were disillusioned when we saw how the movie star acted in real life
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as in disillusionment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disillusion
Lena Surzhko Harned, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
As our state of Colorado approaches its 150th birthday and our nation turns 250 years old, many Americans are disillusioned by this grand experiment in democracy.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Diminishing political and social returns — ideas that start from good intentions only to end in frustration and disillusion — seem to plague most attempts at addressing America’s structural problems, which remain and persist.
—Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disillusion
Verb
And the experience of the year of negotiations has left many disillusioned, with some 70% doubting that peace talks will lead to a lasting solution.
—Lena Surzhko Harned, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
As our state of Colorado approaches its 150th birthday and our nation turns 250 years old, many Americans are disillusioned by this grand experiment in democracy.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
Love, disillusion, independence, and disgrace follow.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Diminishing political and social returns — ideas that start from good intentions only to end in frustration and disillusion — seem to plague most attempts at addressing America’s structural problems, which remain and persist.
—Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disillusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disillusion
Verb
-
The past decade should have disabused us of that notion many times over.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
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But the fear that Bacon has gathered everyone for something indulgent is quickly disabused in the silly and gory comedy where the fun all are having on screen extends to those who aren’t directly related.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Young people in India have expressed growing disillusionment with traditional politics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 June 2026
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The political scientist Alberto Vergara explained that so much churn and instability have, perhaps inevitably, resulted in the disillusionment of an entire generation.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The appeal for young people, experts say, seems to be twofold — a disenchantment with other institutions and with the growing loneliness of life lived on social media, together with a church that, starting with Pope Francis, has focused less on doctrine and more on social justice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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With anthropological specificity, Nadar attends to the duality of enchantment and disenchantment accompanying the introduction and adoption of new technologies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many groups want to spur midterm turnout among Black voters, and others are disenchanted with white conservatives' maneuvers in racially diverse places.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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Nina Linh, who entered the race early on as a Democrat but has since identified as an independent, is hoping to make inroads with voters disenchanted by both parties.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
In a world full of uncertainty, clarity is everything.—
David Morel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disillusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusion. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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