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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Recent Examples of disillusion
Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
In late 1965, after facing threats from authorities and becoming disillusioned with Colombia’s political system, Torres joined the National Liberation Army, a rebel group that still exists.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
These leaders pose a significant risk, disillusion us the most, and undercut the argument that character is essential to success.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disillusion
Verb
The home crowd, grumpy and disillusioned a few weeks earlier, are now cheering the team off the pitch.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
In late 1965, after facing threats from authorities and becoming disillusioned with Colombia’s political system, Torres joined the National Liberation Army, a rebel group that still exists.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
These leaders pose a significant risk, disillusion us the most, and undercut the argument that character is essential to success.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disillusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disillusion
Verb
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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
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This is also why disabusing new believers of such opinions can feel like plucking shell fragments from a cooking omelet.—
Emil Steiner,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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True, Shakespeare had added the characters of Touchstone and Jacques, thus mocking the sport of love and misting it in disillusionment; but most of the plot is pure Lodge.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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My mother’s political disillusionment is not unique.—
Jenna Norton,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Bachelor’snext few years may hinge entirely on its ability to sell romance in an era defined, above all, by disenchantment.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
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Yet, according to many people familiar with the matter, Netflix’s disenchantment is not a recent phenomenon.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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American workers are disenchanted, depressed and frustrated.—
Chris Tomlinson,
Houston Chronicle,
5 Feb. 2026
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For more than 15 years, independents have made up the largest group of voters, as Americans have grown increasingly disenchanted with the two-party system.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Still, the optimism came despite a cloud of uncertainty.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
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While demand for travel surged in the years immediately following pandemic restrictions, price sensitivity appears to be returning as economic uncertainty grows.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disillusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusion. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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