1 disaffect | Definition of disaffect

disaffect

verb
dis·​af·​fect | \ ËŒdis-É™-ˈfekt How to pronounce disaffect (audio) \
disaffected; disaffecting; disaffects

Definition of disaffect

transitive verb

: to alienate the affection or loyalty of also : to fill with discontent and unrest

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Other Words from disaffect

disaffection \ ËŒdis-​É™-​ˈfek-​shÉ™n How to pronounce disaffection (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for disaffect

Synonyms

alien, alienate, disgruntle, estrange, sour

Antonyms

reconcile

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Choose the Right Synonym for disaffect

estrange, alienate, disaffect mean to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty. estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement. his estranged wife alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest. managed to alienate all his coworkers disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation. troops disaffected by hunger

Examples of disaffect in a Sentence

the troops were disaffected by the extension of their tours of duty

Recent Examples on the Web

And that adds to its appeal for supporters disaffected from the moneyed elites who run the former British colony, organizers say. Christopher Bodeen, chicagotribune.com, "Hong Kong opposition movement largely without leaders," 18 June 2019 In their run to the last four, England re-engaged with a fanbase disaffected by decades of failure at international tournaments, most notably in a humiliating exit to Iceland at Euro 2016. Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Kane: 'there's a great future' for England after World Cup run," 12 July 2018 Many militants are disaffected by poverty and unemployment, and some have reportedly traveled to regional countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia, for religious or military training, according to a study released last month in Maputo. Washington Post, "Extremist attacks rise in energy-rich province in Mozambique," 11 June 2018 And for the seasonally disaffected among us, that glorious big bang can’t come soon enough. Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "Where Spring Is in Full Bloom," 5 Apr. 2018 Bryn Mawr has been picking up clients disaffected by larger banks. Joseph N. Distefano, Philly.com, "Citizens and rival Philly banks seeing slow loan growth but say 2018 will get better," 20 Apr. 2018 Simon’s been disaffected with Negan’s leadership for a while now. Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Future shock: Sunday's 'Walking Dead' finally hints at a bigger purpose," 19 Mar. 2018 The two soon gravitated to Club 57 where Ms. Magnuson and a crew of kindredly disaffected School of Visual Arts graduates were already holding court. Brett Sokol, New York Times, "Club 57, Late-Night Home of Basquiat and Haring, Gets a Museum-Worthy Revival," 26 Oct. 2017 There’s nostalgia there in part because so many people have been disaffected by the [Sirleaf] regime. Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "Liberia's election closes chapter of history – but for voters, past is present," 10 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disaffect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disaffect

1641, in the meaning defined above

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disaffect

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disaffect