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disillusioned

British  
/ ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒənd /

adjective

  1. having lost one's ideals, illusions, or false ideas about someone or something; disenchanted

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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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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