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Showing results for disillusion. Search instead for disillusive.
Synonyms

disillusion

American  
[dis-i-loo-zhuhn] / ˌdɪs ɪˈlu ʒən /

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 British  
/ ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒən /

verb

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

"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

noun

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

"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

  • disillusionment noun
  • disillusive adjective
  • undisillusioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of disillusion

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

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.

But notes of disillusion sound throughout this ostensible success story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Accepting the possibility of disillusion as part of existence allows Amélie to endure sorrow and bask in moments of elation.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

In stark contrast with the album’s bombastic, top-10 title track, the early version of “Born in the USA” featured on “Nebraska ’82” oozes with the pain, heartbreak and disillusion inherent in the song’s lyrics.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2025

Put them all together and there is a disillusion and a widespread sense among farmers of not being listened to.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2024

His face was agog with befuddlement and disillusion.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.