disenchanted

Disenchanted is an adjective describing a state of losing enchantment, fondness, trust, or belief in something that was once admired or promised. It often reflects a reaction to real-world circumstances that contrasts with earlier idealism or magical thinking. For individuals, a disenchanted person has become skeptical or cynical about institutions, leaders, or social ideals. In broader usage, the term can describe a cultural or political climate marked by betrayed promises or unmet expectations.

The word derives from disenchantment, formed from the prefix dis- and enchant, with -ed to yield the past participle adjective. The concept historically connects with religious or magical belief and with the modern sense of disappointment when reality fails to live up to idealized visions. The term is closely related to disillusionment, though disillusionment emphasizes the stripping away of illusion rather than the removal of enchantment per se.

Common collocations include disenchanted voters, disenchanted consumers, or a disenchanted audience. In fiction, a disenchanted character may reject magic or romance, opting for pragmatism; in social commentary, the term can describe a mood of skepticism toward political rhetoric or consumer culture.