Synonyms

disaffect

American

[dis-uh-fekt] / ˌdɪs əˈfɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to alienate the affection, sympathy, or support of; make discontented or disloyal.

The dictator's policies had soon disaffected the people.

disaffect British

/ ˌdɪsəˈfɛkt /

verb

(tr; often passive) to cause to lose loyalty or affection; alienate

"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

Related Words

See estrange.

Other Word Forms

disaffectedly adverb
disaffectedness noun

Etymology

Origin of disaffect

First recorded in 1615–25; dis- ¹ + affect ²

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.

The race has become a test of strategy: Crockett argues her combative style will energize turnout, while Talarico presents himself as a bridge to moderates and disaffected Republicans.

From Barron's

Protesters who filled the streets in recent weeks - and withdrew only under overwhelming force - remain deeply disaffected.

From BBC

However, it isn’t yet clear who could replace him or what they would do differently to win back disaffected Labour voters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Bush came to the realization—and only after 9/11, remember—that vicious rulers and their failed states generate disaffected people who harbor ill designs on the United States.

From The Wall Street Journal

Led by a disaffected corporal who never liked Sutton and who dreams of collapsing the crypto-economy to his financial benefit, the group attempt to take her and the First Family hostage.

From Los Angeles Times

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