disenchanted

IPA/ˌdɪsɪnˈtʃɑːntɪd/
KK[dɪsɪntʃˈæntɪd]IPA/ˌdɪsɪnˈtʃæntɪd/

disenchanted — adjective

  • disenchantedpositive
  • more disenchantedcomparative
  • most disenchantedsuperlative

1. no longer having the positive or hopeful feelings you once had about someone or

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

no longer having the positive or hopeful feelings you once had about someone or something, because you have found out about their faults or the problems they cause

Example

After the scandal, many voters felt deeply disenchanted with their leaders.

collocation: deeply disenchanted + with

Kofi grew disenchanted with his job after years of low pay and long hours.

pattern: grow disenchanted + with + noun

Common collocations
  • deeply disenchanted
  • increasingly disenchanted
  • somewhat disenchanted
  • grow disenchanted with
  • become disenchanted with
  • feel disenchanted with
  • remain disenchanted
Synonyms
  • disillusioned

    almost identical; disillusioned focuses slightly more on having had false beliefs corrected

  • disappointed

    broader in scope; disappointment can be about a single event, while disenchantment implies a deeper shift in perception

  • dissatisfied

    narrower; dissatisfaction often targets specific shortcomings rather than a general loss of faith

Antonyms
  • enchanted

    the direct opposite — charmed and delighted rather than let down

  • inspired

    feeling motivated and full of positive energy, the opposite of disenchanted

Grammar Patterns

be disenchanted with [someone/something]

become/grow/feel disenchanted with [someone/something]

be disenchanted by [something]

Usage Note

Typically followed by 'with' to specify the person, institution, or activity that no longer inspires trust or enthusiasm, or by 'by' to specify the experience or discovery that caused the change.

Common Mistakes

I was disenchanted that the restaurant was closed.
I was disappointed that the restaurant was closed.
'Disenchanted' describes a lost belief in the value or goodness of something, not a temporary letdown.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Disenchanted and disillusioned are the closest pair: both describe losing a positive belief after discovering the truth. Disillusioned carries a stronger suggestion that you held an unrealistic or idealised view beforehand. Disappointed is far more general — you can be disappointed by a bad meal or a cancelled flight, situations that involve no deeper change in how you see the world. Dissatisfied is narrower still: it points to specific grievances (low pay, poor service) rather than a shattered sense of trust. For example, a nurse might become disenchanted with the entire healthcare system after years of underfunding, but she would be disappointed by a broken coffee machine and dissatisfied with her monthly salary.

disillusioned ↗disappointed ↗dissatisfied ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • grow disenchanted
  • become disenchanted
  • feel disenchanted
  • remain disenchanted

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word combines the prefix dis- ('reverse of' or 'not') with enchanted ('placed under a spell, charmed'). Enchanted entered English from Old French enchanter, which came from Latin incantare ('to chant a spell'). The modern meaning of disenchanted grew from the metaphor of having a magical spell broken — the pleasant illusion about someone or something is shattered by reality.