Disillusionment

Disillusionment is the feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be. It signifies a loss of faith or trust in something previously idealized, often accompanied by a sense of disillusionment, sadness, or cynicism. This state arises when reality clashes with expectations, hopes, or beliefs. The process of disillusionment involves the shattering of illusions, leading to a more realistic, albeit often less pleasant, understanding of a person, a situation, or an ideal. It's a critical turning point where romanticized notions give way to a clearer, if sometimes harsh, perspective. The experience can trigger a reevaluation of one's values and perspectives and potentially spark personal growth or cynicism. It can stem from broken promises, betrayal, or the gradual unveiling of imperfections. A pervasive sense of loss can accompany this state.

Disillusionment meaning with examples

• After years of believing in the company's mission, the employee experienced disillusionment when he witnessed unethical practices, shattering his faith and leaving him feeling betrayed and disheartened about the true nature of the organization, leading him to consider leaving.
• The young artist, after submitting her work and receiving constant rejection from galleries, began to experience disillusionment, as her dreams of instant recognition seemed to fade in front of the harsh reality of the art world, questioning her self-worth.
• The politician's supporters felt a deep sense of disillusionment when he went back on his campaign promises, his actions not matching his words, causing them to lose faith in the political process and making them cynical about future promises from other leaders.
• Experiencing disillusionment after reading the reviews, the film critic realized that the hyped movie did not deliver a moving story, the viewer's prior expectations and high hopes became crushed, a complete let-down to the audience's eager waiting.
• As the couple went on to spend time living together, they experienced disillusionment when facing their partner's habits and faults, thus realizing their prior perception of a perfect partner was an illusion, they had a clash of realities to deal with.