disillusion

[ dis-i-loo-zhuhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to free from or deprive of illusion, belief, idealism, etc.; disenchant.

   Synonyms: disappoint, undeceive, disenthrall, disabuse

noun

1. a freeing or a being freed from illusion or conviction; disenchantment.

disillusion

/ ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒən /

verb

1. tr to destroy the ideals, illusions, or false ideas of

noun

1. the act of disillusioning or the state of being disillusioned

Other Words From

• dis·il·lu·sion·ment noun
• dis·il·lu·sive [dis-i-, loo, -siv], adjective
• un·dis·il·lu·sioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disillusion¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + illusion

Example Sentences

The title of The Year of Magical Thinking comes from Didion’s experiences reckoning with the finality of death, and the disillusion that exists in its aftermath.

From Time

The Warren Report was and remains a symptom of disillusion with whatever the government says.

From The Daily Beast

The downstairs portion of the Democratic base is increasingly beset by debt and disillusion.

From The Daily Beast

The sloping baseline indicates melancholy, disillusion, and loss of innocence.

From The Daily Beast

Disappointment if not disillusion is inevitable, particularly in light of the current economic meltdown.

From The Daily Beast

To lie thus in deadly weakness and drink in the traits of the beloved, is to re-awake to love from whatever shock of disillusion.

From Project Gutenberg

One can easily imagine the surprise and disillusion of the four pupils of Zimmermann—MM.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not disillusion him; to do so she would have had to tell him that she had lied.

From Project Gutenberg

In the millennium an educational genius will write a book to be given to every young man on the date of his disillusion.

From Project Gutenberg

For some time the prisoners remained pale, motionless, and speechless, weighed down by this horrible disillusion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disappoint
• embitter