disillusionment
Lost faith feeling
Disillusionment is the disappointment that comes from discovering something isn't as good, noble, or true as you believed.
It follows the collapse of an illusion—about a person, institution, or ideal: Her disillusionment with politics came after years of broken promises.
The feeling often carries a bitter edge, the sense of having been naïve or deceived.
Disposition toward doubt
- jadednessDulled enthusiasm from excess
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
world-weariness · mistrust · disbelief · doubt · scorn · contempt · nihilism · fatalism
Failure to satisfy expectations
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- disenchantmentLoss of cherished belief
frustration · dismay · discouragement · disheartenment · chagrin · comedown · setback · unfulfilled
Sudden profound insight
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- realizationGrasping what's true
- eye-openerStartling piece of information
- clarityState of being understandable
disenchantment · sobering · unmasking · demystification · disabuse · undeceived
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- sadnessState of emotional pain
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- apathyAbsence of feeling
emptiness · numbness · disaffection · alienation · detachment · indifference · malaise · dissatisfaction
skepticism
Disposition toward doubt
- jadednessDulled enthusiasm from excess
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
bitterness · world-weariness · mistrust · disbelief · doubt · scorn · contempt · nihilism · fatalism · sarcasm
letdown
Failure to satisfy expectations
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- betrayalBreaking of trust
disenchantment · frustration · dismay · discouragement · disheartenment · chagrin · comedown · setback · unfulfilled · disheartened
epiphany
Sudden profound insight
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- realizationGrasping what's true
- eye-openerStartling piece of information
clarity · disenchantment · sobering · unmasking · demystification · disabuse · undeceived
bitterness
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- sadnessState of emotional pain
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
apathy · emptiness · numbness · disaffection · alienation · detachment · indifference · malaise · dissatisfaction · restlessness
idealism
Belief in noble principles
hope · naivety · optimism · belief · romanticism · illusions · dreams · expectations · wonder · enchantment
- pessimismpessimism, nihilism, fatalism, hopelessness, despair
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- coming-of-agecoming-of-age, bildungsroman, growing up, maturation, youth
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
- story themeshero, love, villain, quest, journey
- themesgood vs evil, theme, love, motif, revenge
disillusionmentillusion
Misleading sensory impression
enchantment · faith · idealism · blind faith · naivety
disillusionmentenchantment
Magical influence over someone
fulfillment · satisfaction · delight · contentment · gratification
- post-war disillusionmentCynicism following armed conflict