Disenchantment: meaning, definitions and examples

Disenchantment is used when someone loses their naive positive expectations or realizes the harsh reality of a situation they once idealized.

• After working in the corporate world for a year, John's disenchantment with the industry's ethical standards became apparent.
• There was a growing disenchantment among the voters with the political promises that remained unfulfilled.

Disillusionment is used when someone is freed from an illusion, often leading to disappointment and a more negative view of reality.

• The public's disillusionment with the government's integrity led to widespread protests.
• He spoke about his disillusionment with the glamorous life of fame, revealing it to be empty and isolating.

Disappointment is used when someone feels sad or unsatisfied because something did not meet their expectations or hopes.

• She felt a deep sense of disappointment when her favorite team lost the final match.
• Despite his hard work, he couldn't hide his disappointment when he didn't get the promotion.

Discontent is used to describe a general feeling of dissatisfaction or unhappiness with a situation, often leading to the desire for change.

• The workers expressed their discontent with the new company policies.
• There was discontent among the students about the quality of the cafeteria food.