Synonyms

disabuse

American

[dis-uh-byooz] / ˌdɪs əˈbyuz /

verb (used with object)

disabused, disabusing

to free (a person) from deception or error.

disabuse British

/ ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz /

verb

to rid (oneself, another person, etc) of a mistaken or misguided idea; set right

"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

Other Word Forms

disabusal noun

Etymology

Origin of disabuse

From the French word désabuser, dating back to 1605–15. See dis- ¹, abuse

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.

Broussard tried to disabuse me of this notion.

From Slate • May 11, 2024

He added: “We’re taking a look at it. But I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2024

That said, Singer’s indifference to coherence doesn’t entirely disabuse a viewer of staying the course.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2023

“Wealthy Russian elites should disabuse themselves of the notion that they can operate business as usual while the Kremlin wages war against the Ukrainian people,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2023

“Do nothing to disabuse the public of this notion.”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023