estranged

1 of 2

adjective

es·​tranged i-ˈstrānjd 

: having lost former closeness and affection : in a state of alienation from a previous close or familial relationship

her estranged husband [=her husband with whom she no longer lives]

Social workers may try to resolve conflicts between estranged siblings.

—Jonathan D. Rockoff

He had taken out a life insurance policy on his estranged wife just weeks before her murder …

—David Fisher

… it's kind of shameful to admit your idea of unwinding in front of the TV is watching somebody's entire family get murdered by their greedy, estranged uncle.

—Lauren Zupkus

estranged

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of estrange

Examples of estranged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Stephen Root, fresh off his Emmy win for Widow’s Bay, will play Dave, Charles’ estranged brother who has some old scores to settle. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Finally, Widow’s Bay Emmy winner Stephen Root will play Dave, Charles’ estranged brother. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Emma died just a few days after her estranged sister in June 1927 at age 76. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

The film centers on an actress (Paulson) and her estranged sister (Watts) who have an unexpected reunion following a devastating diagnosis. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1538, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing estranged

• estranged couple
• estranged husband
• estranged wife

Rhymes for estranged

• disarranged
• interchanged
• prearranged
• rearranged
• arranged
• exchanged
• unchanged
• changed
• ranged