Disillusioned
dis-i-LOO-zhund
/ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒənd/
Disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed.
Implies a loss of idealism or belief, often after a period of holding strong, positive expectations that were not met.
The story behind the word. "Disillusioned" is formed from the prefix "dis-" (meaning "apart" or "away") and "illusion." "Illusion" comes from the Latin "illudere," meaning "to mock" or "to play with," which itself is from "in-" (into) and "ludere" (to play). So, to be disillusioned is to have one's illusions, or false beliefs, stripped away, leaving one feeling disappointed or let down.
Word relationships
- disenchanted: Very similar, often interchangeable, implying a loss of charm or magic.
- disappointed: More general; "disillusioned" implies a loss of a previously held belief or ideal.
- idealistic: Believing in or pursuing ideals.
- hopeful: Feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event.
Commonly confused with
- cynical: A cynical person believes people are motivated by self-interest; a disillusioned person has lost faith in something specific, often due to experience.
Word family
- disillusion (verb): to free from illusion.
- disillusionment (noun): a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.
Collocations
- deeply disillusioned
- completely disillusioned
- become disillusioned
- feel disillusioned
- disillusioned youth
Example sentences
- "Many voters became disillusioned with the political process after repeated broken promises." Describing a politician's supporters.
- "After witnessing the harsh realities of war, he returned home deeply disillusioned with the romanticized image of heroism." Describing a veteran's feelings.
Memory hook
"DIS-ILLUSIONED" means your "ILLUSIONS" are "DIS-mantled." Lost idealism.
When not to use
For simple disappointment; it suggests a deeper loss of faith or belief.
Fun facts
- The concept of "disillusionment" often appears in literature, particularly in post-war narratives where characters grapple with the harsh realities that shatter their youthful ideals.
Explore more words
despondent, embittered, idealistic, cynical, forlorn, jaundiced
Also appears in
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