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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
Six months later, a disillusioned Stapleton resigned, claiming she had been demoted during the most recent restructuring as retaliation for helping to spearhead the walkout. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026 Set in Georgia in the 1970s, the book focuses on Velma Henry, a disillusioned civil rights activist. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Verb
While companies everywhere have gone all in on AI, surveys are showing customers are becoming disillusioned with it. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Armed insurgencies by Boko Haram in the north and separatists in the west, along with a stagnant economy, have left many young people disillusioned with the leader. — ABC News, 6 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
  • True to form, Zverev delivered a new reason for fans to grow frustrated with him.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Regardless of whether players and fans believe the series features one Link or multiple Links across the convoluted timeline posited in the Hyrule Historia, each of these games ends at a moment of frustrated erotic climax.
    — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Adjective
  • The film is certainly casting a spell, and whether or not that’s simply cynical (and insidiously effective) marketing doesn’t much matter when you’re caught up in it.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There’s rom-com-style banter between Alice and her colleague Danny (Scoot McNairy), and cynical mentorship from FBI agent Nora (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), who has seen enough to drive her to drink.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cynical
Verb
  • 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
  • This year, Kansas voters disenchanted with the major-party candidates won’t have the option of casting a protest vote.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disenchanted
Adjective
  • While country music will always be part of her, she’s felt disappointed by her peers politically.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While disappointed, Gold Phoenix’s connections weren’t about to ask for condolences.
    — Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of disappointed
Adjective
  • Along with her equally intellectual and sardonic (some may even say pessimistic) best friend Jane, Daria provided a terrifically entertaining rebuke to late ’90s and early aughts culture.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
  • If Lex seems pessimistic about the Eagles, Josh is pushing back against any skepticism.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 4 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
  • The potential to tap into the ambient paranoia of our current militarized age goes unfulfilled.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Athletic previously reported that unfulfilled payments from Victory+ contributed to the league’s decision to end the relationship, according to league sources that spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deal freely.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfulfilled
Adjective
  • Gulliver’s Travels ends on a devastatingly misanthropic note.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The philosophy-minded writer, apart from being generally (and characteristically) misanthropic, was making a profound point.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Definition of misanthropic

Browse Nearby Words

disillusion
disillusioned
disillusioning
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Cite this Entry

“Disillusioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusioned. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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