disillusioned 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of disillusionednext
1
as in frustrated

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2
as in cynical

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disillusioned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of disillusion
as in disenchanted
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disillusioned
Adjective
Feeling disillusioned and angry, less than two years later in August 2015, Hadley decided to leave her fiancé and stop answering his relentless calls. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Set in contemporary Iran, A Bit of Light follows a disillusioned doctor who loses faith in the future after being arrested and having his medical practice shut down. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Verb
While companies everywhere have gone all in on AI, surveys are showing customers are becoming disillusioned with it. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Armed insurgencies by Boko Haram in the north and separatists in the west, along with a stagnant economy, have left many young people disillusioned with the leader. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disillusioned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disillusioned
  1. frustrated
  2. cynical
  3. disenchanted
  4. disappointed
  5. pessimistic
  6. disabused
  7. unfulfilled
  8. misanthropic
Adjective
  • Alves says that some of the people most frustrated with what’s going on lack that lived experience.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Miller’s hands dropped quickly to his side in frustrated dejection.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Adjective
  • And his cynical dealings in Washington foreshadowed a toxification of US politics that now runs rampant.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The cynical explanation is that the Treasury Secretary is playing politics.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of cynical
Verb
  • This year, Kansas voters disenchanted with the major-party candidates won’t have the option of casting a protest vote.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
  • If Daniels decides to litigate the matter, other former college stars who are disenchanted by their alma mater for one reason or another could similarly try to stop their schools from using their NIL.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of disenchanted
Adjective
  • Nice people may of course become irritated, disappointed, jealous, or defensive, since niceness does not require sainthood.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • At the end of last season, Madrid fans were left quite disappointed following a rare trophy-less season for the club.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disappointed
Adjective
  • Barcelona are pessimistic about their chances of landing Julian Alvarez.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some have made videos inspired by 2010s memes, others have celebrated the return of a platform that hearkens back to a time when many felt less pessimistic about the role of social media in their lives.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimistic
Verb
  • This Penelope is knowing, gossipy, disabused.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • Only when he was disabused of that notion, the source said, would the team’s fortunes change.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Definition of disabused
Adjective
  • The Athletic previously reported that unfulfilled payments from Victory+ contributed to the league’s decision to end the relationship, according to league sources that spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deal freely.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Five years on, the promises that once sought to justify two decades of American intervention have not just gone unfulfilled but have been actively undone.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfulfilled
Adjective
  • The philosophy-minded writer, apart from being generally (and characteristically) misanthropic, was making a profound point.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • Wealthy, misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive, Melvin Udall, played by Jack Nicholson, develops an unlikely bond with Carol, a waitress portrayed by Helen Hunt.
    — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of misanthropic

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disillusioned
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Cite this Entry

“Disillusioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disillusioned. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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