disaffect

American  

[dis-uh-fekt] / ˌdɪs əˈfɛkt /

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.

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disaffect British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈfɛkt /

verb

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

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Related Words

See estrange.

Other Word Forms

• disaffectedly adverb
• disaffectedness noun

Etymology

Origin of disaffect

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

Example Sentences

I endeavor to detach her from him, and disaffect her towards him; knowing that, if I can separate them entirely, I shall be more likely to succeed in my plan.

From The Coquette The History of Eliza Wharton by Foster, Hannah Webster

Discrimination against any class on account of color, race, nativity, sex, property, culture, can but embitter and disaffect that class, and thereby endanger the safety of the whole people.

From The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony (Volume 2 of 2) Including Public Addresses, Her Own Letters and Many From Her Contemporaries During Fifty Years by Harper, Ida Husted

Miguel, in spite of his own lack of faith, found his wife's piety so poetical, so innocent, that it never once passed through his mind to disaffect her of it.

From Maximina by Palacio Valdés, Armando

And any and every discrimination against any class, whether on account of color, race, nativity, sex, property, culture, can but imbitter and disaffect that class, and thereby endanger the safety of the whole people.

From An Account of the Proceedings on the Trial of Susan B. Anthony, on the Charge of Illegal Voting by Anonymous

Inquiry being made whether Mr. Norton's preaching was calculated to disaffect subjects towards the government, no evidence was found to that effect.

From Adèle Dubois A Story of the Lovely Miramichi Valley in New Brunswick by Savage, Mrs. William T.

Related Words

• alienate
• antagonize
• repel