disillusion Hear it!

disillusion Definition

dis·il·lu·sion (dis′i lo̵̅o̅′z̸hən)

transitive verb

  1. to free from illusion or false ideas; disenchant
  2. to take away the ideals or idealism of and make disappointed, bitter, etc.

noun

disillusionment

disillusion Synonyms

disillusion

v.

disenchant, disenthrall, shatter one's illusions, free from illusion, disabuse, undeceive, embitter, open one's eyes, let down easy*, pull the ground from under*, burst the bubble*, break the spell*, knock the props from under*, bring down to earth*, bring down*, let the air out of*, send one's air castles tumbling*, show the feet of clay*; see also disappoint.

disillusion Usage Examples

Object

  • voter: From across the social spectrum, disillusioned voters turned to Nick Griffin's party, believing they offered a realistic chance for change.
  • soldier: In 1975 several PPU members faced a ten-week trial for distributing leaflets telling soldiers disillusioned with Northern Ireland duties how they might leave.
  • bit: The trainee is also a bit disillusioned by the lack of pupil responses in the classroom.

Converse of object

Subject

lack: Having been somewhat disillusioned by a lack of courtesy on the part of certain Chicago car dealers, I shopped in the suburbs.

Adjective modifier

widespread: The result was that, despite widespread popular disillusion with New Labor this June, we failed to move public opinion our way.

Modifying Another Word

  • increasingly: I have got increasingly disillusioned with Blair's stance on Iraq.
  • sadly: Bruch died a sadly disillusioned man, one who had simply lived too long.
  • utterly: For me, it was the year I became utterly disillusioned with politics.
  • deeply: There were debates with people who were deeply disillusioned with New Labor who want to see it punished at the polls.
  • thoroughly: Soon, however, thoroughly disillusioned with the Party system, he left the House of Commons for ever.
  • somewhat: Having been somewhat disillusioned by a lack of courtesy on the part of certain Chicago car dealers, I shopped in the suburbs.

Used with why or when

when: However, as with the others, he soon grew bitterly disillusioned when the promises of James vanished into thin air.

Preposition: with

  • politics: He said: " The electorate feels disillusioned with the politics on offer.
  • politician: Voters disillusioned with established politicians are turning to the United Kingdom Independence Party rather than to the left.
  • party: The BNP is attracting the support of voters disillusioned with the main political parties.
  • government: In 1959, the Mosul garrison, disillusioned with the new government, organized a revolt against Qassem.
  • life: Carver and his friends soon became disillusioned with life in their new home.

Preposition: by

lack: Having been somewhat disillusioned by a lack of courtesy on the part of certain Chicago car dealers, I shopped in the suburbs.