- past participle of disillusion.
- past tense form of disillusion.
disillusioned
Britishadjective
Explanation
People who are disillusioned have lost their illusions. This is usually meant in a negative way, as disillusioned people tend to be a little bitter. When you're disillusioned, you're wiser but not necessarily happier: you've learned from experience that life isn't always how you'd like it to be. Getting divorced could leave you disillusioned about marriage and love. Finding out a teacher cheated could leave you disillusioned about education. We all are disillusioned at some point, and it's usually a bit depressing. Often, ignorance really is bliss.
Vocabulary lists containing disillusioned
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At 59, he is disillusioned and doubts that Los Angeles will sustain its efforts beyond the Olympic Games.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
His military experience “left me feeling very unmoored, it left me feeling very disillusioned, very alienated and very isolated.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
There were also repeated warnings about the public becoming disillusioned with politics.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Confrontational since childhood — his mother recalls him challenging his teachers and practicing fiery speeches in the mirror — Manzo became disillusioned by his government’s failure to contain crime.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
One of the most famous resistance groups was the White Rose, headed by Hans Scholl and his close-knit group of fellow students who had grown disillusioned with the Nazi government and the war.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.