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Disenchant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disenchant

[ˌdɪsɪnˈtʃɑːnt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To disappoint or disillusion someone

Synonyms

disappoint, disillusion, dismay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disenchant

Used when someone realizes that something they believed in is not as good as they thought. It often involves losing one's idealism or innocence.

  • Traveling to the big city disenchanted her; it wasn't as glamorous as she had imagined.
  • He was disenchanted with politics after experiencing the corruption firsthand.
disappoint

Commonly used when expectations or hopes are not met. It carries a sense of sadness or frustration but is often less severe than the other terms.

  • I was disappointed when the concert was canceled.
  • The team’s performance disappointed the fans.
disillusion

Strongly conveys that someone has been freed from a false belief or misconception, usually resulting in a sense of betrayal or loss of faith.

  • She was disillusioned with the company after discovering the unethical practices.
  • Many voters became disillusioned with the promises of the politician.
dismay

Used in situations where someone feels sudden and complete loss of courage, often because of unexpected bad news or events. It usually implies shock or alarm.

  • The sudden layoffs left the employees in dismay.
  • He watched in dismay as the building caught fire.

Examples of usage

  • He was disenchanted by the reality of the job.
  • She felt disenchantment when her high expectations were not met.
Context #2 | Verb

magic

To remove the magical or enchanting qualities from something

Synonyms

decharm, dehex, uncast.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disenchant

This word is commonly used when someone loses their admiration or faith in something or someone they previously held in high regard. It has a neutral to slightly negative connotation.

  • After learning the truth about the company's practices, he became disenchanted with his employer.
  • She felt disenchanted with the political system after the scandal.
decharm

This term is rarely used but can imply removing charm or attraction from something or someone. It has a neutral connotation and is often used in a figurative sense.

  • The constant arguments began to decharm their once ideal relationship.
  • The harsh reality of the job quickly decharmed the new recruits.
uncast

This term is very rarely used and typically relates to undoing a magical casting or spell. It has a neutral to slightly archaic tone.

  • The sorcerer had to uncast the binding spell to free the spirits.
  • With great effort, she managed to uncast the enchantment placed on the village.
dehex

This word is used in a magical or supernatural context, specifically relating to removing a curse or spell. It has a neutral connotation.

  • The witch used a powerful spell to dehex the cursed amulet.
  • They sought a shaman to dehex their home after several strange incidents.

Examples of usage

  • The spell disenchant the cursed object.
  • The wizard's wand could disenchant any magical barrier.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • This term is often used in fairy tales and literature to describe characters who find out that magic doesn't exist, leading to a loss of innocence.
  • Classic stories like 'The Wizard of Oz' involve disenchantment as characters learn the truth behind the illusions they believed in.

Psychology

  • Disenchantment can relate to a phenomenon known as 'cognitive dissonance', where one's beliefs clash with new experiences or information.
  • People experience disenchantment in relationships when their idealized views do not match the reality, often leading to disappointment.

Pop Culture

  • In modern media, disenchantment is a common theme in films and shows that critique the idealism often portrayed in fairy tales.
  • The animated series 'Disenchantment' parodies medieval fantasy and explores how characters face harsh truths about their world.

Philosophy

  • 'Disenchantment' can also refer to the broader societal movement away from traditional beliefs and towards scientific reasoning, known as the 'disenchantment of the world'.
  • Philosopher Max Weber used the term to describe the loss of magical thinking in modernity, stressing realism and rationality in society.

Origin of 'disenchant'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'dis-' meaning 'to take away' and 'enchant', which comes from Latin 'incantare', meaning 'to chant or sing' to create magic.
  • First recorded use of 'disenchant' appeared in the mid-17th century, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards beliefs and magic during that time.

The word 'disenchant' originated from the Old French word 'desenchanter', which was formed by combining 'des-' (meaning 'remove') and 'enchanter' (meaning 'to enchant'). The term first appeared in the English language in the 17th century. Over time, 'disenchant' has come to be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, reflecting the idea of removing magic or enchantment from a situation or object.

See also: disenchantment, enchanted, enchanter, enchanting, enchantingly, enchantment, enchantments, enchantress.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,119, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.