disabuse

[ dis-uh-byooz ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·a·bused, dis·a·bus·ing.

1. to free (a person) from deception or error.

disabuse

/ ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz /

verb

1. trusually foll byof to rid (oneself, another person, etc) of a mistaken or misguided idea; set right

Derived Forms

• ˌdisaˈbusal, noun

Other Words From

• disa·busal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disabuse¹

From the French word désabuser, dating back to 1605–15. See dis- ¹, abuse

Example Sentences

And while race and class aren’t explicitly addressed, it’s impossible not to view our protagonist’s actions through a ready-made privilege that Eastwood doesn’t disabuse us of pondering.

From Los Angeles Times

Just in case you ever believed that Mark Zuckerberg came to understand the gravity of his role as the head of a Big Tech megaconglomerate whose apps serve as essential communication infrastructure for almost half of the world, he’s now doing everything he can to disabuse you of that generous notion.

From Slate

"James Madison was epileptic. Franklin Roosevelt was paralyzed. John F. Kennedy had Addison's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic pain. George Washington, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower and Thomas Jefferson were all known to have learning disabilities. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both had/have hearing impairments. And Joe Biden has a stutter, a disability that can affect his speech. I hope all of those examples can disabuse our nation of the idea that the presence of a disability alone can or should be disqualifying for a president."

From Salon

Broussard tried to disabuse me of this notion.

From Slate

He added: “We’re taking a look at it. But I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• debunk
• disillusion
• enlighten