Synonyms of disillusioning

disillusioning

verb

present participle of disillusion

as in disabusing

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

• disabusing
• disenchanting
• undeceiving
• telling
• advising
• disclosing
• apprising
• refuting
• uncovering
• unmasking
• divulging
• debunking
• exposing
• filling in
• sophisticating
• spilling
• unveiling
• showing up
• clueing (in)
• wising (up)
• uncloaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misleading
• misrepresenting
• deluding
• fooling
• kidding
• tricking
• snowing
• taking in
• duping
• bluffing
• beguiling
• misinforming
• misguiding
• hoodwinking
• gulling
• hoaxing
• cozening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disillusioning

Feldstein told me that his time in prison was disillusioning. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

For many observers of American politics, the past few years have been disillusioning, knocking down hopeful beliefs about what the people of the United States will support or tolerate. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026

And what seemed most probably was a blip ultimately dominoed into the disillusioning 2025 season that will come to a merciful end on Sunday in Las Vegas. — Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026

Italy’s established political parties failed to respond effectively to the crisis, disillusioning voters. — Erik Jones, Foreign Affairs, 21 Sep. 2022