estranged

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

Examples of estranged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The show follows Chickie (Pompeo) and Doreen, two estranged half-sisters who are both struggling to get by when their wise guy dad unexpectedly kicks the bucket. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Harry and his brother, Prince William, have barely seen one another over the last six years and, despite their reunion with the king, there was no meeting between the two estranged brothers. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 15 July 2026

The book follows Jazzlyn, 13, who is more than disgruntled when her estranged great-grandmother moves in. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

De Niro and Scott are on hand as an estranged father and son who are brought back together when Scott’s character’s young son is abducted after the pair move back to his sleepy hometown after a horrible tragedy. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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