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 (as a sale) rather than the due course of law (as by descent)

3

: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted

alienate capital from its natural channels

alienator

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnā-tər 

ˈāl-yə-

noun

Synonyms of alienate

• infuriate
• anger
• estrange
• enrage
• annoy
• alien
• outrage

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

Allen is said to have reluctantly acquiesced to ARC’s demands and, in the process, alienated others. —Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

The White House is telling Republicans to refine their immigration messaging as the party stares down the midterm elections, a tacit acknowledgement that its hardline rhetoric about mass deportation risks alienating voters. —Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026

After bombing and alienating the previously friendly countries around it, the Democrat Party is the only ally Iran has left, even though Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world and responsible for the dealth of thousands of Americans. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

It's riddled with cheffy tricks but not in alienating way. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for alienate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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