disaffected

American  

[dis-uh-fek-tid] / ˌdɪs əˈfɛk tɪd /

adjective

1. discontented and disloyal, as toward the government or toward authority.

---

Other Word Forms

• disaffectedness
  noun
• disaffectedly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of disaffected

First recorded in 1625–35; disaffect + -ed ²

Explanation

The adjective disaffected describes someone who is dissatisfied or rebellious. Usually if you're disaffected, you're upset with people in authority. You and your fellow disaffected workers might become so upset about the lack of raises that you decided to boycott work. You might have heard the term "disaffected youth," which refers to young people rebelling against some aspect of society. For example, disaffected youth might fight against their lack of political freedom. Disaffected can also be used to describe things rather than people, like the disaffected lyrics in a song or the disaffected mood of a poem describing an unhappy or bitter state of mind. The word disaffected comes from disaffect, meaning "estranged, hostile."

Example Sentences

The enduring intraparty conflict signals an opening for Talarico, who has made appealing to Cornyn supporters and disaffected voters across the political spectrum central to his general election strategy.

From Salon • Jun. 25, 2026

Florida, with its high concentration of wealth, no state income tax, pro-business policies and balmy weather, has drawn an unusually large number of disaffected California tech moguls.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

For a company founded by ex-OpenAI executives disaffected with Sam Altman’s business practices, it seemingly has little compunction about the aggressive tacks it’s already taken to shore up its $380 billion bottom line.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

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 • Mar. 3, 2026

She sounded disaffected, cool, all blues and violets, the opposite of the hot ember glow that burned inside Maya.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

Related Words

• rebellious