estrange

verb

es·​trange i-ˈstrānj 

estranged; estranging

transitive verb

1

: to arouse especially mutual enmity or indifference in (someone) where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness : alienate

John's excesses gradually estranged him from his mother …

—Philip Norman

She became estranged from her family.

2

: to remove from customary environment or associations

The first words spoken were not those of one becoming estranged from this world, and already permitted to stray at times into realms foreign to the living.

—Charlotte Brontë

estrangement

i-ˈstrānj-mənt 

noun

her estrangement from her family

estranger noun

Synonyms

• alien
• alienate
• disaffect
• disgruntle
• sour

Choose the Right Synonym for estrange

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 estrange in a Sentence

she estranged several of her coworkers when she let her promotion go to her head

Recent Examples on the Web

The younger Lopez — also a comedian who, for years, had been estranged from her father — was clearing up some rumors about her parents divorce ... while twerking upside down. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Former Vanderpump star Stassi Schroeder who was fired from the show in 2020 and has estranged relationships with some of her former castmates, including Jax and Brittany, recently discussed being asked to take part in the spinoff but ultimately turning it down. —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024

Though Russell is not technically Hudson's father — her mother, Goldie Hawn, welcomed Hudson with her first husband, Bill Hudson — the actress has long been estranged from Bill, and has a tight relationship with Russell. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024

Hogan is among Maryland Republican stalwarts — conservative commentator and 1986 U.S. Senate candidate Linda Chavez being another — who are estranged from the state party apparatus because party leaders continue to embrace the polarizing figure of former President Donald Trump. —Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024

Charlotte’s older sister Emma (Wanganeen) is estranged from Charlie but is raising his two kids, as well as her own daughter. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

According to a report in The Miami Herald, the little girl and her mother are estranged from the Biden family. —Maressa Brown, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024

One hospice patient, a devout elderly woman, was estranged from her adult son, who no longer believed. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024

Harry has been estranged with members of his family, including his older brother, Prince William, heir to the throne. —Brian Melley, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrangir, estranger, from Medieval Latin extraneare, from Latin extraneus strange — more at strange entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

estrange

verb

es·​trange is-ˈtrānj 

estranged; estranging

: to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring : alienate

estranged from their children

estrangement

-mənt 

noun