alienate

verb

alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 

ˈāl-yə-

alienated; alienating

transitive verb

1

: to cause to be estranged : to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existed

He alienated most of his colleagues with his bad temper.

Her position on this issue has alienated many former supporters.

2

: to convey or transfer (something, such as property or a right) usually by a specific act rather than the due course of law

3

: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted

alienate capital from its natural channels

alienator

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnā-tər 

ˈāl-yə-

noun

Synonyms

• alien
• disaffect
• disgruntle
• estrange
• sour

Choose the Right Synonym for alienate

estrange, alienate, disaffect mean to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty.

estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation.

troops disaffected by hunger

Examples of alienate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the antiwar movement had alienated many voters, as some demonstrations became violent. —Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Morning Edition host Michel Martin told me some colleagues at the network share Berliner's concerns that coverage is frequently presented through an ideological or idealistic prism that can alienate listeners. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024

But pop stars often grow up faster than their young fans—which can feel alienating to them (and confusing to parents). —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

Cultures clash when older generations, who may have gone without much explanation or care in their early careers, critique younger workers in ways that unintentionally alienate or discourage them, experts who study the multigenerational workforce say. —Danielle Abril, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

Dems see line of attack as duo appeals to GOP base The appeal plays to Lake's and Finchem's most faithful GOP supporters, the voters who turn out in primary elections, but could alienate general election voters. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024

The technology alienated some shoppers, who were put off by entry gates or the feeling that Amazon had turned a visit to the grocery store into a high-tech vending machine. —Matt Day, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

These changes alienated many Catholic and evangelical Democrats and established the GOP as the political home of white Christian conservatives. —TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

At the same time, his polarizing statements and endorsement of right-wing conspiracy theories have alienated many of the left-leaning customers who are most likely to buy electric cars. —Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aliēnātus, past participle of aliēnāre "to transfer (goods, property) to another, lose possession of, render hostile, estrange," verbal derivative of aliēnus "not one's own, of others, foreign, strange" — more at alien entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

alienate

verb

alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 

ˈāl-yə-ˌnāt

alienated; alienating

1

: to transfer (as a title, property, or right) to another

2

: to cause (one who used to be friendly or loyal) to become unfriendly or disloyal

Medical Definition

alienate

transitive verb

alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt, ˈāl-yə- 

alienated; alienating

: to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed

Legal Definition

alienate

transitive verb

alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 

alienated; alienating

: to give away or sell (property or a property right) to another

will not sell, transfer, assign, hypothecate or otherwise alienate any of his voting shares

—Strickland v. Rahaim, 549 So. 2d 58 (1989)

compare devise

alienation

ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən, ˌāl-yə- 

noun

Etymology

Latin alienare, from alienus not one's own