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
  • But in a surprising twist — one that angered Judge Timothy Fancourt — both sides on Tuesday asked for more time to thrash out a deal.
    Max Taylor, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Otherwise, the only other fix is charging more, which presents the risk of angering customers and decreasing revenue.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 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
  • The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • And coming around once every four years to beg for votes is both insulting and infuriating.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
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
  • Actions that Trump takes will surely alienate certain portions of the public.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Already alienated from his former ally, Pence announced his campaign for president in 2023.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The move is not entirely unexpected for the art world, which has seen art dealers dissatisfied with the status quo established by art fairs such as the Art Dealers Association of America and the Armory Show.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Taken together, those statistics suggest there is some degree of realignment going on in American politics, with Trump’s appeal resonating both with young voters dissatisfied with the state of the nation and with working-class voters of all races.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Since then, they have been estranged from the family.
    Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Suri has seemingly dropped Tom's last name and is reportedly estranged from her father.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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 29 Jan. 2025.

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