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
Jonathan D. RockoffHe had taken out a life insurance policy on his estranged wife just weeks before her murder …—David Fisher
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
Lauren ZupkusExamples of estranged in a Sentence
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Having won the competition set by her late, estranged father Alexandre (Stanley Weber) to determine the heir to his wine empire, Camille Leger (Fleur Geffrier) took an important step toward overcoming Alexandre’s toxic emotional legacy.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
The veteran was exceptional, even heartbreaking, as a clueless dad and aging filmmaker seeking to hire his estranged daughter for the role of his, and maybe hers, lifetime.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Sisters Nora and Agnes, played by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas, reunite with their estranged film director father, played by Stellan Skarsgård, after their mother’s death.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The new work stars Michela Farrugia as Mar who is planning to quit her native Malta for good following the death of her estranged mother, using the proceeds from the sale of farmland she’s inherited to fund the move.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for estranged
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Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
The veteran was exceptional, even heartbreaking, as a clueless dad and aging filmmaker seeking to hire his estranged daughter for the role of his, and maybe hers, lifetime.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Sisters Nora and Agnes, played by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas, reunite with their estranged film director father, played by Stellan Skarsgård, after their mother’s death.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The new work stars Michela Farrugia as Mar who is planning to quit her native Malta for good following the death of her estranged mother, using the proceeds from the sale of farmland she’s inherited to fund the move.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for estranged
Cite this Entry
“Estranged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estranged. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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