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

Her estranged sister and her girlfriend invite themselves for the chaos. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

Throughout the previous night’s dinner service, Marcus was in a bad headspace spurred on by his estranged father’s solo visit to the Bear. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2026

The estranged daughter of Fidel Castro has never entirely felt at peace here, in a city of exiles, despite being one herself. — Christine Armario, Washington Post, 19 June 2026

His estranged sister, played by Natalie Portman, joins him on the quest which is financed by Domhnall Gleeson's billionaire benefactor character Owen Carver. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 June 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