# disillusionment

/ˌdɪsɪˈɫuʒənmənt/ (US) · /dɪsɪlˈuːʒənmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disillusionment
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a feeling of being very disappointed or upset because something you believed in is not true. It is like when you find out a person or a plan is not as good as you thought.

For teachers: a state of being disappointed or disillusioned, typically following the discovery that a person or situation is not as good as expected. Often used to describe a loss of faith in an ideal or a political system.

## Examples

- His disillusionment with politics grew after the election.
- Many young professionals experience a sense of disillusionment when they realize the corporate world is not as fair as their university professors suggested.
- The widespread disillusionment with the government's handling of the crisis led to a significant drop in voter turnout during the subsequent national elections.

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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.