estranged

adjective

es·​tranged i-ˈstrānjd How to pronounce estranged (audio)
Synonyms of estranged
: 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
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.
Bear Brown recently said that his brother Matt had a history of substance use and had become estranged from his family. Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 31 May 2026 Javier Bardem is terrific as a former enfant terrible filmmaker who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter by putting her in his new movie in The Beloved, which eschews the easy sentimental beats but also ends up short on many satisfying ones. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2026 For example, estranged parents, divorce, missing persons, adult children cutting contact, immigration separation. Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Todd and Julie sued the state of Georgia in 2019, alleging that a tax official had targeted the couple’s estranged daughter and improperly shared confidential tax information to try to elicit compromising information on the family. Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for estranged

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of estranged was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Estranged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estranged. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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