disillusion
Americanverb (used with object)
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to free from or deprive of illusion, belief, idealism, etc.; disenchant.
- Synonyms:
- disappoint, undeceive, disenthrall, disabuse
noun
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a freeing or a being freed from illusion or conviction; disenchantment.
verb
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(tr) to destroy the ideals, illusions, or false ideas of
noun
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the act of disillusioning or the state of being disillusioned
Other Word Forms
- disillusionment noun
- disillusive adjective
- undisillusioned adjective
Etymology
Origin of disillusion
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.
Lewis and Tolkien were disgusted by this atmosphere of disillusion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
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
There is no solace among them, only a past infected with disillusion.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
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.