DISAFFECT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disaffect' contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and estrange are common synonyms of disaffect . While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation. // troops disaffected by hunger

Q: When is 'alienate' a more appropriate choice than 'disaffect'?

While in some cases nearly identical to disaffect , alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest. // managed to alienate all his coworkers

Q: When can 'estrange' be used instead of 'disaffect'?

The words estrange and disaffect can be used in similar contexts, but estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement. // his estranged wife

disaffect

verb

ˌdis-ə-ˈfekt

Definition of disaffect

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring the candidate tried to win over disaffected voters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to displease

to make discontented the troops were disaffected by the extension of their tours of duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb disaffect contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and estrange are common synonyms of disaffect. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation.

troops disaffected by hunger

When is alienate a more appropriate choice than disaffect?

While in some cases nearly identical to disaffect, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When can estrange be used instead of disaffect?

The words estrange and disaffect can be used in similar contexts, but estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

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 disaffect Though many fans have turned their backs on the mope-rocker for his baffling anti-immigrant stance, many more have tucked their heads into the sand to hold onto the moody, disaffected lyrics that so explained our teenaged selves to us. — Michelle Tea, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Mar. 2023 Yang has honed in on a message of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, touted the need for a nationwide universal basic income and boasted about his ability to reach voters who have become disaffected by national politics. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2019 Dina Litovsky for The New York Times Here’s at least one sign that some young adults are disaffected with dating apps. — Jennifer Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2019 And that adds to its appeal for supporters disaffected from the moneyed elites who run the former British colony, organizers say. — Christopher Bodeen, chicagotribune.com, 18 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for disaffect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disaffect

Verb

That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.

— Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

While most of the male cops were unhappy with the gender integration of the department, a lot of the women officers were displeased, too.

— Wilbert L. Cooper, Longreads, 25 Aug. 2026
The only cohort of players likely to be displeased with this year’s prize money increases are doubles specialists.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of displease

Verb

The White House’s abrupt decision last week to ease tariffs on 300,000 metric tons — more than 660 million pounds — of foreign beef imports has infuriated American cattle ranchers and congressional Republicans alike.

— Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The heated rhetoric has infuriated and astonished most Canadians; in a recent poll, seventy-six per cent supported the decision of the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to walk away from trade talks with Washington.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

The costume misstep happened as Target’s sales have started rebounding from earlier company moves that alienated some customers and from a perception the quality of its stores and merchandise had declined.

— Nancy Jiang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
By demeaning and alienating most people, Capps predicted, the Christian right wing was planting the seeds of its own demise.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of alienate

Verb

The political stalemate is likely to leave both Republicans and Democrats dissatisfied.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 July 2026
After a series of coups by officers dissatisfied with lagging counterterrorism efforts, juntas in the three countries booted France altogether, establishing close ties with Russia instead.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026

Definition of dissatisfy

Verb

The victim's wife, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Marlene, and did not want her face shown, said she was outraged by what happened.

— Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
In Miami, Mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled and overwhelmingly voted out of office in 2011 due to outrage over his public funding of a controversial new Marlins stadium.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

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disadvantages

disaffect

disaffected

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“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of disaffect

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