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

Example 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 Sanders-Warren backers see Mr. Trump as a symptom of deeper woes, of the desperation of long-struggling voters disaffected by the recent economic prescriptions of both parties. Jacob M. Schlesinger, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2020 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 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
  • Topline Attorney General Pam Bondi has become the chief lightning rod for those on the right angered by the Department of Justice’s lack of new information regarding disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—a subject of extensive right-wing conspiracies—with some calling for her firing.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • But many of the Blues’ outings have been unpleasant because of high temperatures and storms, and six games across the tournament have been paused for poor weather conditions, angering manager Enzo Maresca.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • George, displeased that the Clippers would only offer a three-year deal, bounced for Philadelphia on a four-year max.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • In 2016, some members of Xiaomi’s supply chain team displeased Samsung Electronics Co. representatives and the South Korean firm threatened to halt supply of its industry-leading AMOLED screens.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump left Washington in January 2021 infuriated with Netanyahu, bitter that the Israeli leader had backed out of a planned joint operation to assassinate an Iranian general and had congratulated Joe Biden on his election victory.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 8 July 2025
  • But his veto of an affordable housing bill that had been drafted largely to his specifications infuriated lawmakers.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps Trump just wanted to annoy his counterparts, especially those on the continent.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • But Cotton, annoyed by Hank’s indirectness and emotion, browbeats his son.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Our campaigns are well-funded, but are mostly driven by opposition to bad policy and alienating rhetoric, rather than belief in change.
    Sara Forman, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
  • Whether aligned with Trump or against him, Musk’s involvement with politics has alienated some investors who think his political maneuvering has distracted him from focusing on Tesla’s success.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump has been dissatisfied with the standard of Air Force One since his first term.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
  • In January, those polled by Gallup were dissatisfied by 77%-20%, almost 4-1.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lori still appears to be estranged from some of her daughters and Larry's children.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • Three parents of members told The Enquirer they had been estranged or cut off by their children, and some ex-members said they were prevented from contacting friends outside the church.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Californians should be outraged at such fragrant violations of the law, and of Californians’ right to privacy, by police agencies.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Trump has dismissed the idea that his calls for Newsom’s arrest have provided the governor with a political advantage by outraging Democrats, despite his own arrests helping him during last year’s election.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disaffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaffect. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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