DISAFFECT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disaffect

verb

ˌdis-ə-ˈfekt

Definition of disaffect next

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring the candidate tried to win over disaffected voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to displease

to make discontented the troops were disaffected by the extension of their tours of duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

The former Republican majority leader has angered some of Trump's supporters for votes and views that conflict with the president's.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Further confusing and angering fans has been the way the team has seemingly taken shots at Dončić's work ethic and conditioning.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025