# disillusioned

/ˌdɪsɪˈɫuʒənd/ (US) · /dɪsɪlˈuːʒənd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disillusioned
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

feeling disappointed because you discovered that something is not as good as you believed it was. You lose your faith or respect for an idea, person, or organization.

For teachers: feeling disappointed and stripped of illusions after discovering that something is less good, valuable, or true than previously believed. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'become', 'grow', or 'feel'.

## Examples

- He became disillusioned with politics after the latest scandal.
- Many young voters felt disillusioned when the candidate failed to deliver on his most important campaign promises.
- After years of working in the corporate sector, she grew increasingly disillusioned with the profit-at-all-costs mentality and decided to transition into the non-profit world.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is disillusioned about his job" but "He is disillusioned with his job" — While 'about' is occasionally heard, 'with' is the standard preposition used to indicate the source of the disappointment.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'with' or 'by'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.