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
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Recent Examples of disillusioning
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disillusioning
Verb
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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
Verb
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The pastor approaches the line without fully disenchanting; a magician drawing attention to the trick without disowning its power.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Folks started DM'ing me on social media, telling me that J was with his ex-fling.—
Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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The mood among players in the mixed zone was telling.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The state agency is advising one right lane is still closed.—
Caroline Silva,
AJC.com,
16 June 2026
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From June 6 to Monday, Newport Beach lifeguards conducted 12,104 preventive actions — such as advising people to avoid certain activities and moving them out of hazardous situations — and 516 rescues, according to Adam Yacenda, lifeguard battalion chief for the city’s Fire Department.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disillusioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusioning. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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