disaffect

[ dis-uh-fekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to alienate the affection, sympathy, or support of; make discontented or disloyal:

   The dictator's policies had soon disaffected the people.

disaffect

/ ˌdɪsəˈfɛkt /

verb

1. tr; often passive to cause to lose loyalty or affection; alienate

Derived Forms

• ˌdisafˈfectedly, adverb
• ˌdisafˈfectedness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disaffect¹

First recorded in 1615–25; dis- ¹ + affect ²

Synonym Study

See estrange.

Example Sentences

As is often the case in journalism, if you disaffect both parties you know you are doing something right.

From The Daily Beast

Be sure that you keep up true conjugal love to one another, and that you grow not to disaffect the persons of each other.

From Project Gutenberg

And these first glimpses of the happy lives of others seemed to disaffect me more than ever with my own.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alienate
• antagonize
• repel