estranged

adjective

es·​tranged i-ˈstrānjd How to pronounce estranged (audio)
: 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
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After many years of close friendship, the couples became estranged following the unsolved murder, in 1963, of the Kupcinets’ daughter, Karyn, a Hollywood actress. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 Among the upcoming new dramas is Half Man, starring Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell, a co-production between the BBC and HBO that explores the complex relationship between two estranged brothers. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025 Robert is estranged from his sister, Sarah (Young Sheldon‘s Annie Potts), and so his abrupt arrival in town is a giant surprise. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 Oct. 2025 Senzo Radebe was cast as Shaka’s estranged father, King Senzangakhona, with the likes of Thembinkosi Mthembu, Dawn Thandeka King and Sthandiwe Kgoroge playing other leads. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025 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 16 Oct. 2025.

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