estrange

verb es·trange \ i-ˈstrānj \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Definition of estrange

estranged; estranging

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

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estrangement

play \i-ˈstrānj-mənt\ noun

- her estrangement from her family

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estranger

noun

See estrange defined for English-language learners

See estrange defined for kids

Examples of estrange in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of estrange from the Web

The episode is just the latest in a series that have left Poland, a nation of 38 million that sits strategically at NATO’s eastern frontier, estranged from its Western partners.

— griff witte, Washington Post, "Poland reckons with unintended consequences as Holocaust bill kicks up a storm," 3 Feb. 2018
Another friend of decades estranges himself in words that pollute thirty years.

— david kirby, New York Times, "Donald Hall, a Poet Laureate of the Rural Life, Is Dead at 89," 24 June 2018
He and his wife, Justine, are estranged from his parents and sister Hannah for reasons that are complicated and, truth to tell, nobody’s business but theirs.

— dale robertson staff writer, San Antonio Express-News, "A dose of perspective on Patrick Reed’s style of play and persona," 11 June 2018
The Clewells, who met through another Legion post, are estranged, according to the newspaper.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "'Foundation of lies.' American Legion leader accuses husband of faking Vietnam service," 18 June 2018
But no one seems to care or be too curious about that, plus Shaun has been estranged from her father for years.

— lindsey bahr, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Gabrielle Union does her best with ‘Breaking In’," 10 May 2018
The mysterious case has sent U.S.-Cuba relations plummeting from what had been a high point when the two countries, estranged for a half century, restored full diplomatic ties under President Barack Obama in 2015.

— greg norman, Fox News, "Canada pulls diplomats’ families from Cuba over mysterious illness," 17 Apr. 2018
The mysterious case has sent U.S.-Cuba relations plummeting from what had been a high point when the two countries, estranged for a half century, restored full diplomatic ties under President Barack Obama in 2015.

— Washington Post, "Canada pulls families of diplomatic staff from Cuba," 16 Apr. 2018
Bieber and Mallette were estranged for two years, as the pop star’s public behavior went increasingly off the rails.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Justin Bieber's Mom Broke Her Foot on the First Day of Their Tropical Vacation," 21 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'estrange.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of estrange

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

estrange Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.