English vocabulary
Disillusion
/ˌdɪs.ɪˈluː.ʒən/ · v.
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To disillusion someone is to show them that something they believed was good is not as good as they thought. The truth takes away a hope they once had.
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Example sentences
- The broken promise disillusioned the new employee.
- The truth disillusioned fans of the leader.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- dis — away (from Latin)
- illusion — false belief (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- DISENCHANT (Lose enchantment)
- DISAPPOINT (Dash expectations)
- DISHEARTEN (Weaken hope)
Similar words
- disenchant
- disappoint
- dishearten
- discourage
- sadden
Lesson notes
To disillusion someone is to show them that something they believed was good is not as good as they thought. The truth takes away a hope they once had.
Related: disenchant, disappoint, dishearten. Use disillusion when the truth breaks a cherished belief.
The broken promise disillusioned the new employee. The truth disillusioned fans of the leader.
From Latin. Dis means away. Illusion means false belief. A false belief falls away, leaving painful truth: that is disillusion.