disillusioned 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of disillusionednext
1
as in frustrated

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2
as in cynical

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disillusioned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of disillusion
as in disenchanted
to free from mistaken beliefs or foolish hopes we were disillusioned when we saw how the movie star acted in real life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disillusioned
Adjective
Having once dreamed a modern India would be able to move past divisions of religion and caste, Jinnah became disillusioned. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 How will this play out as these brave, disillusioned journalists enter our world? — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
We are charmed by the charming Odette as a snake is charmed, held swaying in wonder, only to be disillusioned afterward. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Uncertainty surrounds the squad, with Jean-Philippe Mateta disillusioned, his long-standing contract offer remaining unsigned and a year left on his deal. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disillusioned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disillusioned
  1. frustrated
  2. cynical
  3. disenchanted
  4. disappointed
  5. pessimistic
  6. disabused
  7. unfulfilled
  8. misanthropic
Adjective
  • Livia’s sister-in-law invokes the poem when Livia learns, to her surprise, that her manipulative, abusive mother had been a frustrated musician.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • They were thoroughly dominated by Chicago in a 23-12 loss on Sunday, a performance that left fans increasingly frustrated and the Jets insisting the franchise's past failures weren't seeping into the locker room.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Adjective
  • Swarup’s book exposes the cynical nature of the quiz show, dangling a literal lifeline to desperate people for the sake of entertainment.
    — L.M. Chilton, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Myriad people inside Warner Bros are cynical about the capping of severances and the fact that only a few at the top are bound for a post-merger windfall.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cynical
Verb
  • But the old dispensation was also something like the countryside of his childhood, which experience has disenchanted.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Citizens on both sides of the aisle have become increasingly disenchanted with billionaires spending record sums to influence elections and policy while increasing their own net worths and driving up the cost of living for everyone else.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of disenchanted
Adjective
  • A day later, Kwon weighed in again, addressing a disappointed employee.
    — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Royal Caribbean's cancellation of an Icon of the Seas stop left some cruise passengers hugely disappointed and others wildly celebrating — sparking a debate over whether the port was worth visiting at all.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of disappointed
Adjective
  • In IconArrows pointing outwards While Berkshire is making a bet that Lennar will benefit from a long-term recovery in the nation's troubled housing market, Morgan Stanley is pessimistic about the stock's more immediate future.
    — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Despite Senate Majority Leader John Thune's two-day campaign and fundraising trip to Georgia this month, some local party leaders were publicly pessimistic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of pessimistic
Verb
  • This Penelope is knowing, gossipy, disabused.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • Only when he was disabused of that notion, the source said, would the team’s fortunes change.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Definition of disabused
Adjective
  • Yes, as the season of presidential politics grinds on to the November showdown, a promising but unfulfilled new ABC situation comedy called Spin City puts its own spin on the hype and hope associated with the political game.
    — Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Europe has pledged to boost Ukraine’s funding, though its needs remain largely unfulfilled as US support dwindles.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfulfilled
Adjective
  • Known for creating everyone’s favorite psychopath Tom Ripley, Highsmith – played by Helen Mirren – became a controversial figure because of her antisemitic and misanthropic statements.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The prospect of Helen Mirren playing the legendary author Patricia Highsmith at her most unpredictably misanthropic should be enough of a selling point for A Talent for Murder.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of misanthropic

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Cite this Entry

“Disillusioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusioned. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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