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

This kind of disconnect between parents and children is often talked about as rare and unusual, but data shows that 1 in 5 people will become estranged from their fathers, Blake said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

Starring Denis Leary, Going Dutch premiered in January 2025 and centered around a father and daughter duo who were forced to juggle their professional work with their estranged personal relationship. —Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Leyden, who was down on her luck after losing her jewelry business and had become estranged from her family, wound up in a homeless shelter. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026

His hope is that his embracing life as an artist will reconnect him with his estranged daughter Finn who is an up and coming comedian and performer. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 May 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