The dictionary definition doesn't cut it. I see this word all the time and I have no idea what it really means. Case in point: today's news says this: "Matthew Dowd, a polling expert who switched parties to become a Republican and served as a senior strategist in Bush's 2000 presidential campaign, told The New York Times in an interview on Sunday that Bush must face up to Americans' growing **disillusionment** with the war."
What does it mean?
2007-04-01 05:05:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It means that Bush promised us that he was going to war to squash a clear and present danger, and he promised us that his little war would make the world safer.
We were all giddy about the cowboy saving the planet from space invaders and such, and we danced in the streets and did what we could to support the war effort.
Then, we discovered that Bush had lied to us. There was no danger worth going to war over. He wasn't going to save the planet...as a matter of fact, he made it even more dangerous than before.
We were crushed. There would be no peace that Bush promised. We were disillusioned.
2007-04-01 05:12:53 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That is one of those words that can be easily defined by the context in which it is used.
I would guess that it literally means that one has a perception that something one once held true was actually an "illusion", and that when the reality of the situation became evident, the illusion was lost.
Somewhat analagous terms in this context would be "disappointed" or "felt betrayed."
But, why the hell do you ask?
2007-04-01 12:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by XOUT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disillusionment refers to a feeling that arises from the discovery that something is not what it was anticipated to be. Often, disillusionment is much more severe and traumatic than common disappointment, especially when a belief central to one's identity is shown to be false.
2007-04-01 12:08:36 · answer #3 · answered by El Diablo 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Illusions are expectations and ideas about how things ought to be. Disillusionment is the process of losing those illusions.
2007-04-01 12:15:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's disenchantment.
Being "freed" from illusions or idealism.
The use here implies that the Americans once believed in the war, (like a fantasy), but have been freed from a false belief in it..
2007-04-01 12:15:12 · answer #5 · answered by sleepingdragonz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to me disillusionment would be thinking of something in one way and coming to realize it is not so
2007-04-01 12:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having false expectations.
2007-04-01 12:09:50 · answer #7 · answered by 2Cute2B4Got 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It means you're getting a big, bitter dose of reality.
2007-04-01 12:16:21 · answer #8 · answered by Gee Wye 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that you have become unhappy about something. People that are disillusioned generally were once happy with something and over time have become unhappy with it.
2007-04-01 12:09:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
An illusion is seeing something you really want,but isnt there.Disillusioned would mean you no longer wanted it,it is no longer your "dream"
2007-04-01 12:11:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋