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disenchantment

disenchantment

6 7.7
A feeling of disappointment you have after you learn something is not as good as you thought
  • noun
  • /ˌdɪsɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
translation icon : desencanto
  • Public opinion polls in the EC indicate mounting disenchantment with the pan-European treaty.
  • growing disenchantment
  • public disenchantment
  • increase the disenchantment

Those who've urged determination in the face of disenchantment.

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Examples

  • But it also reflects disenchantment with current U.S. policies, especially on Iraq.

    Academic text (2006)
  • At any rate, it seems impossible for us to escape the process of disenchantment.

    Academic text (1995)
  • What figures or groups have shown disenchantment with the modern Christmas and why?

    Academic text (1992)
  • Connecticut College is said to be leading a "fresh wave of disenchantment" with the SAT.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Unfortunately, too many of us get no farther, but remain stuck at the stage of disenchantment.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The lines in his face reveal an emerging disenchantment not so much with the world as with himself.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • There is a deepening disenchantment in the population with the political system.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Some cultural critics argue that the disenchantment I speak of is a peculiar condition of modern consciousness.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Moreover, during Geisel's presidency, a growing disenchantment among the Brazilian people began to be felt.

    Academic text (1992)
  • After years of believing in his company's mission, he felt a deep sense of disenchantment when he discovered its unethical practices.

Synonyms

disappointment
vsdisenchantment
223 1.7

A feeling of sadness or being let down when something you wanted does not happen

is tied to losing belief after discovering something is not as good as believed
letdown
vsdisenchantment
27 3.4

A feeling of disappointment when something is not as good as you expected

is the broader feeling or process after realizing an ideal is false
disillusionment
vsdisenchantment
16 6.5

A feeling of disappointment when something is not as good as you hoped

is broader, also meaning the process of losing belief in an ideal
disillusion
vsdisenchantment
4 7.0

A feeling of disappointment when you learn that something you believed is not true

is the feeling or state of becoming disappointed after that change
disheartenment
vsdisenchantment
7.3

A feeling of losing hope and confidence

is more about becoming disappointed after discovering something is not as good as believed
dispiritedness
vsdisenchantment
7.1

A feeling of being discouraged and without much hope

is more specific, caused by finding an ideal false rather than general low mood

Antonyms

8 6.5

A feeling of great wonder and pleasure as if under a magic spell

How Disenchanted

disenchantment
6 7.7
disappointment
223 1.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

disenchantment = disenchant (semi-transparent) = dis + enchant + ment

The noun is a standard and readily understandable -ment formation from the verb 'disenchant'.

Etymology

Disenchantment is built from dis- meaning 'not' or 'the opposite' and enchant, which comes from an old word for 'singing a magic song' and is like the everyday word chant. So, disenchantment is the loss of that 'magical' feeling and becoming disappointed when something is not as wonderful as you first believed.