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
For the moderator — who has become a bit disillusioned by the transformation of the subreddit — posts like Haapala’s, celebrating their job offer on the subreddit, are a beacon of light. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 Like many others, Naipaul offered a disillusioned view of the era; he was given to fatalism about utopian hope. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
Verb
We might be disillusioned with voting. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026 For a time, their actions inspired many climate and environmental activists who were disillusioned with nonviolence. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 June 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
  • Sudbury had grown frustrated seeing so many people dedicate themselves to changing their lives but still fail to secure housing or work once background checks were run.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Philips is quick to push back on the idea that his story is a plug-and-play template for frustrated twenty-somethings who can’t land a corporate job.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Adjective
  • In this cynical age, our local registrars of voters, usually one from each party, remain respected public officials.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The novel follows Lila Dixon, an acerbic, cynical baseball scout living a dreary and closed-off life in her 30s.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of cynical
Verb
  • In a time when so many are disenchanted with medicine, Kimberly Lomis, a surgeon and vice president of medical education innovations at the American Medical Association, sees opportunity.
    — Spencer Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of disenchanted
Adjective
  • Extremely disappointed by the loss, Brunelleschi traveled to Rome to study ancient architecture, while Ghiberti gained wealth and prestige in Florence.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • The Padres got to 4-3 in the fifth, but even that left them disappointed.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
Definition of disappointed
Adjective
  • The six most pessimistic fan bases in the Power 4 last August went on to cheer for teams that finished with losing records.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The findings reflect a deeply pessimistic economic mood as the country heads to the November midterm elections.
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 29 July 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 state’s flying-car pivot only came to light after the Miami Herald filed a records request in January, which went unfulfilled until the newspaper’s lawyer got involved.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • However, this ambitious strategy faces significant risks, including unfulfilled promises regarding full autonomy and intensifying competition from rapidly advancing Chinese EV manufacturers.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of unfulfilled
Adjective
  • The philosophy-minded writer, apart from being generally (and characteristically) misanthropic, was making a profound point.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • Wealthy, misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive, Melvin Udall, played by Jack Nicholson, develops an unlikely bond with Carol, a waitress portrayed by Helen Hunt.
    — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disillusioned

Nglish: Translation of disillusioned for Spanish Speakers

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