was disillusioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was disillusioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of disappointment or loss of faith in something that was once believed to be true or good. Example: "After years of working in the industry, she was disillusioned by the lack of integrity among her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Ellsberg was disillusioned.

The New Yorker

He was disillusioned with the music industry.

The Guardian - Music

"I was disillusioned," said Mr. Roy.

The New York Times

I was disillusioned about the work I was doing.

Independent

He played down suggestions that she was disillusioned with Brown.

The Guardian

He was disillusioned to find that young artists disliked art.

The New Yorker

Jones was disillusioned as most of his earnings remained with his manager, Norm Riley.

Independent

He joined it in 1948, though was disillusioned by a visit to Moscow in 1954.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Heffner, 78, said he was disillusioned with the ratings system.

The New York Times - Arts

"In fact, I was disillusioned about Marxism, as well as about Russia," Blunt wrote.

The New York Times

Mahfouz was disillusioned by the revolution and the repressive era that it introduced.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was disillusioned" to convey a sense of disappointment resulting from the realization that something is not as good as one believed. This phrase is particularly effective when describing a shift in perspective after a period of positive expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "is disillusioned" when describing a past state of disappointment. "Was disillusioned" indicates a completed process of losing one's illusions or faith at a specific point in the past.

Linguistic Context

Was disillusioned functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of disappointment and loss of faith. It describes a subject's emotional state after realizing that something they once believed in is not as good as they thought. Ludwig shows it used in various contexts to convey this sentiment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was disillusioned" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past state of disappointment and loss of faith. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across reputable sources, particularly in news and media, to describe a shift in perspective resulting from negative experiences. To ensure correct usage, remember that it describes a past state, and alternatives like "became disenchanted" or "lost faith in" can provide slightly different nuances. By understanding these nuances and the contexts in which it's used, you can effectively convey feelings of disappointment and skepticism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became disenchanted

Emphasizes the loss of enchantment or positive feelings, suggesting a shift from a positive to a negative perspective.

lost faith in

Focuses specifically on the loss of trust or belief in someone or something.

became cynical about

Highlights the development of a skeptical and pessimistic outlook.

had their hopes dashed

Implies a sudden and significant disappointment, often after high expectations.

was let down by

Focuses on the feeling of being disappointed by someone's actions or performance.

grew tired of

Indicates a gradual loss of interest or enthusiasm, leading to disillusionment.

felt betrayed by

Highlights the feeling of being deceived or treated unfairly, resulting in disillusionment.

became pessimistic about

Focuses on developing a negative outlook, often due to disappointment.

lost their illusions about

Emphasizes the shedding of false beliefs and the recognition of reality, leading to disillusionment.

was disabused of

Indicates the correction of a mistaken belief or idea, often resulting in disillusionment.

FAQs

How can I use "was disillusioned" in a sentence?

You can use "was disillusioned" to describe a past state of disappointment after realizing something wasn't as good as previously believed. For example, "He "was disillusioned" with the political system after seeing the level of corruption".

What's a good alternative for "was disillusioned"?

Alternatives include "became disenchanted", "lost faith in", or "became cynical about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is disillusioned" if referring to a past event?

No, "is disillusioned" refers to the present. To describe a past event, use "was disillusioned" or "became disillusioned".

What's the difference between "disillusioned" and "disenchanted"?

Both words describe a state of disappointment, but "disillusioned" often implies a loss of faith in an ideal or system, while "disenchanted" suggests a loss of charm or appeal.