Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disaffect contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and estrange are common synonyms of disaffect. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," 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

When is alienate a more appropriate choice than disaffect?

While in some cases nearly identical to disaffect, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When can estrange be used instead of disaffect?

The words estrange and disaffect can be used in similar contexts, but estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disaffect Dina Litovsky for The New York Times Here’s at least one sign that some young adults are disaffected with dating apps. Jennifer Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2019 Yang has honed in on a message of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, touted the need for a nationwide universal basic income and boasted about his ability to reach voters who have become disaffected by national politics. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2019 One danger for the prime minister is that on election day conservative voters disaffected by the looming corruption charges could abandon him for other right-wing parties, or for an opposition bloc. Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2019 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, 18 June 2019 See all Example Sentences for disaffect 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disaffect
Verb
  • Multiple unauthorized drones flew above the Palisades fire Friday afternoon, forcing firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety and angering those working on the front lines, authorities said.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Visiting Villa manager Unai Emery had earlier been left angered by the decision to send off Jhon Duran with Tindall later seen shushing the Spaniard in the technical area.
    Callum Davis, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • To the surprise of no one, apart from seemingly the International Cricket Council who didn't appear ready for a contingency, India refused to travel to Pakistan, who obviously were displeased and threatened to reciprocate at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The man was captured looking shocked and displeased as a waitress, after being instructed to prank the parent by his family, suddenly pulled his burger and fries dish from under him.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Less infuriating to the host and showrunner were the two Survivor winners in the cast: Parvati Shallow and David Genat (who triumphed in the Australian version of the franchise).
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Mod and Woodall are stars, and the show itself is tender, romantic, joyful, infuriating, and so easy to get swept up in.
    refinery29.com, refinery29.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The game was tied at 25 with 7:22 left in the first half, but Florida Southwestern was clearly annoyed by the constant pressure.
    CJ Moore, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Mostly we are annoyed by inane thickets of regulation and are suckers for a politician who vows to sweep them aside.
    Peter C. Baker, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Teddy descends into cruel, self-righteous paranoia, quickly alienating his family — to say nothing of the Maine electorate — in a bid to regain control of his campaign and life.
    Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Instead of focusing solely on customer feedback, consider creating alternative products that could (deliberately) alienate current customers but attract new ones.
    Ioana Dragomir, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • When Fifth Edition was released in 2014, it was done as a placeholder that was trying to lure back old customers dissatisfied with the direction of the game.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • But those looking for a job — including new college graduates and workers dissatisfied with their current role — will likely have a tough time finding a gig, Pollak said.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Suri has seemingly dropped Tom's last name and is reportedly estranged from her father.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Gospel great BeBe Winans plays a widower who hopes to reunite his daughters – a former gospel trio, estranged from each other.
    Mike Hughes, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate are outraged by the decision.
    Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The outcome of the investigation outraged the Fernandez and Puig families.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near disaffect

Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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