disaffected

[dis-uh-fek-tid] /ˌdɪs əˈfɛk tɪd/

adjective

discontented and disloyal, as toward the government or toward authority.

Origin

1625-35; disaffect + -ed²

Related forms

disaffectedly, adverb

disaffectedness, noun

disaffect

[dis-uh-fekt] /ˌdɪs əˈfɛkt/

verb (used with object)

to alienate the affection, sympathy, or support of; make discontented or disloyal:

The dictator's policies had soon disaffected the people.

Origin

1615-25; dis-¹ + affect²

Synonyms

Examples from the web for disaffected

The belief that suicide bombers are poor, uneducated, disaffected or disturbed is contradicted by science.
No outburst by a disaffected human should be ignored.
These techniques resonate with a generation disaffected by conventional politics.
Every year the authorities worry that the disaffected will use the session as a pretext to air grievances.
He brought a disaffected cohort of voters into the electoral process and into his party.
There is also little sign of co-ordination among different disaffected groups.
Even a decade of growth has left plenty of poor and disaffected people.
He may have no intention of meeting the demands of the disaffected, but he clearly sees political value in listening to them.
Opposition politicians, newspaper columnists and a disaffected former foreign minister are beginning to find their voice.
Why they don't care and are so disaffected should be dissected afterwards but that does not excuse their actions.

British Dictionary definitions for disaffected

/ˌdɪsəˈfɛkt/

verb

(transitive; often passive) to cause to lose loyalty or affection; alienate

Derived Forms

disaffectedly, adverb
disaffectedness, noun

Word Origin and History for disaffected

adj.

"estranged, hostile," usually in reference to authority, 1630s, past participle adjective from disaffect. Related: Disaffectedly; disaffectedness.

1610s, from dis- + affect (v.1). Related: Disaffected; disaffecting.