Disabuse

Verb

Definition: To persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken.

Synonyms: Correct, Enlighten, Educate

Antonyms: Mislead, Deceive, Convince

Examples:

I had to disabuse him of the notion that he would win effortlessly.
She patiently disabused her students of the myth that all snakes are venomous.

Mnemonics:

Disabuse can be remembered by associating it with "dis" meaning "opposite" and "abuse" meaning "to misuse or deceive." Therefore, disabuse means to undo or stop someone from being deceived.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "disabuse" first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. It comes from the French word "désabuser" which is a compound of "dés-" (meaning "undoing") and "abuser" (meaning "to deceive").

Historical Usage:

Over the years, "disabuse" has been consistently used to describe the act of dispelling misconceptions or correcting false beliefs.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Disabuse someone of something"

Explanation:

This phrase is commonly used to indicate the act of persuading or convincing someone that their belief or idea is incorrect. For example, "She successfully disabused him of the notion that all politicians are corrupt."

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "disabuse" with "abuse" or "misuse."

Explanation:

While "abuse" and "misuse" involve manipulating or exploiting something or someone, "disabuse" refers to the act of correcting a mistaken belief or dispelling false ideas. The prefix "dis-" in "disabuse" indicates "undoing" or "opposite."