Synonym Chooser

How does the verb alienate contrast with its synonyms?

The words disaffect and estrange are common synonyms of alienate. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When is it sensible to use disaffect instead of alienate?

The meanings of disaffect and alienate largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can estrange take the place of alienate?

Although the words estrange and alienate have much in common, estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of alienate There’s a good chance Pluribus will alienate you with its deliberate pace and high-wire premise. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025 Trump’s embrace of Putin also alienated many democratic allies in Europe, especially those most threatened by Russia. Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025 For Bangladesh, the potential catastrophe of not tackling cascading environmental challenges justifies the risk of alienating its far more powerful neighbor. Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025 The Russian presence appears to have alienated large sections of Mali’s population. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alienate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
  • That defeat denied Indianapolis a playoff appearance and infuriated the man in charge of it all.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The lack of details about the operations has infuriated members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Notably, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has decided to cede play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the upcoming game.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The whispers of China’s rise have been ongoing since the Obama administration, but the power that was unintentionally ceded due to the actions taken by the first and second Trump administrations cannot be overlooked.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement has angered many Americans by wearing masks while on duty, attacking peaceful protesters and arresting mostly people with no criminal record.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • We were stunned by the strong cinematic language and the subtle atmosphere that this film conveys.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Whether through rain, irrigation, or merely watering the lawn, residues are conveyed to the soil, which will eventually reach groundwater.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After Lorelai's teen pregnancy pushed her to build a life in Stars Hollow, the Gilmores' subsequently estranged and sometimes contentious relationships blossomed into complexity, love and sharp family humor.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The message of community appeared not only to resonate with younger voters who have felt estranged from politics and city life, but to draw them out and get them off their phones—to rally, to canvass, and to vote.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Though Judge and Simon were legally granted equal custody of their three children upon their split, Judge relinquished custody of Sidney to Simon after their daughter opted to live with him full time.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
  • According to the Associated Press, US Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell released Ortiz on a $500,000 bond, mandated that the 26-year-old relinquish his passport, and restricted his travel to the local area, among other stipulations.
    David Close, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted to keep the government open back then, enraging Democrats who had wanted to use the pressure point to fight back against the administration.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
  • To further enrage Predator purists, Thia and Dek adopt a cuddly little monkey-ish creature as their companion, a CGI bit of whimsy seemingly borrowed from Pixar.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Certainly there are some high schools that are still assigning and engaging with The Great Gatsby in full.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Ratings Board watches every movie in its entirety and assigns it a rating and descriptor that aligns with the views of the majority of American parents.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alienate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!