Disillusionment: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：loss of illusions (disillusionment)

disillusionment 🔊

/ˌdɪs.ɪˈluː.ʒən.mənt/

Feeling sad and disappointed after you realize something is not as good or true as you thought.

Disillusionment illustrated by a person holding a cracked heart-shaped balloon, symbolizing lost hope.

loss of illusions 🔊

➕

/lɒs əv ɪˈluːʒ(ə)nz/

A profound emotional state characterized by sadness and disappointment arising from the realization that a person, belief, or situation is not as admirable, perfect, or true as one had previously believed.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Prefix 'dis-' (remove) + noun 'illusion' (false belief) + suffix '-ment' (state or condition).

💡 Mnemonic

DIS-ILLUSION-MENT: The mental state (ment) after a false belief (illusion) has been taken away (dis-).

📖 Example

After working for the environmental charity, he felt a deep disillusionment when he saw how little actual change their projects created. 🔊 After working for the environmental charity, he felt a profound loss of illusions upon seeing the minimal real-world impact of their projects.

🔗 Collocations

deep disillusionment – A very strong and profound feeling of disappointment

political disillusionment – Disappointment and loss of faith in the political system or politicians

sense of disillusionment – A conscious awareness or feeling of being disillusioned

🔄 Synonyms

disenchantment (n.) – A feeling of disappointment from discovering something is not as good as believed, often implying loss of magical or idealistic charm.

disappointment (n.) – A general feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

🚫 Antonyms

idealism (n.) – The belief in or pursuit of high principles, goals, and standards, often unrealistically.

hope (n.) – A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular positive thing to happen.

🌱 Derivatives

disillusion (v.) – To cause someone to realize that a belief or ideal is false.

disillusioned (adj.) – Having lost one's ideals, illusions, or faith in something; disappointed.

disillusioning (adj.) – Causing someone to lose their ideals or positive illusions.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'disillusionment' gained prominence in the early 20th century, often linked to the 'Lost Generation' post-World War I. It describes the stark disappointment felt after grand ideals (like glory in war or utopian society) were shattered by harsh reality, a common theme in modernist literature.