Disillusion: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'disillusion' to describe the feeling of losing naive trust or belief in something or someone after discovering it is not as good as once thought.

• She was disillusioned with the political system after realizing most promises were never kept.
• He felt disillusioned when he discovered the truth about his idol's past.

Use 'disappointment' for situations where there is sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

• The team faced disappointment after losing the championship.
• Her disappointment was evident when she failed to secure the job.

Use 'disenchantment' to describe the feeling of losing one's admiration or enthusiasm for something or someone, typically over a longer period.

• There is widespread disenchantment with the government's policies.
• After years of hard work with little reward, the employees felt disenchantment.

Use 'disillusionment' to denote the state of no longer having the naive faith or admiration one once had, usually resulting in disappointment or sadness.

• There was a sense of disillusionment among the voters after the scandal.
• The author's memoir captures the journey from youthful dreams to disillusionment.