Synonym Chooser

How does the verb alienate contrast with its synonyms?

The words disaffect and estrange are common synonyms of alienate. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When is it sensible to use disaffect instead of alienate?

The meanings of disaffect and alienate largely overlap; however, disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation.

troops disaffected by hunger

In what contexts can estrange take the place of alienate?

Although the words estrange and alienate have much in common, estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of alienate For now, the brand is resisting price hikes that might alienate its new customer base. Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025 Pew noted Democrats’ views grew more negative toward Republicans, fostering hostility that alienates swing voters. Nafees Alam, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025 This decision was partly motivated by the fact that the filmmakers didn't want to risk alienating churchgoers with controversial depictions of demons and Hell. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025 These methods may energize some audiences but risk alienating others. Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alienate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
  • Watching Texas and other states trying to rig the 2026 congressional elections is infuriating.
    Neal Fornaciari, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Watching Texas and other states try to rig the 2026 congressional elections is infuriating.
    Guest Commentary, Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So many seem eager to be rid of the labors of thought and expression—the very labors that define them as free and autonomous human beings—by ceding them to generative artificial intelligence.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • So that’s it — be fast and agile, willing to cede control to shoppers, even more social, able to see beyond your heritage and ready to work with AI.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That loss of sales has already angered many Midwestern soybean farmers, who see the administration’s Argentina outreach as benefiting a competitor while leaving American exporters disadvantaged.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The deal could improve America’s relationship with its chief economic adversary while angering key allies and its two biggest trading partners.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s a certain unpredictability and fleet-footedness required to play this budding outlaw, and the actor can’t convey any excitement in the part.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The surgeon general serves in the Department of Health and Human Services and issues public advisories and reports to convey health information to the public.
    Will Stone, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The accusations came after Harry—who is estranged from William, Kate and his father King Charles—sent a wreath and a handwritten letter to be placed in honor of his grandfather, Prince Philip, at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in London on September 2025.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Walton, who’d come out at 30 years old, was estranged from some of his.
    Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, despite this military setback, the militia in Lebanon shows no intention of relinquishing its weapons.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Georgia Tech led 17-14 before the Wolfpack’s Cody Hardy scored his second touchdown of the first half, and NC State (5-4, 2-3) never relinquished the lead from there.
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • While this violation enrages the village’s women, the men who make up the Panchayat (village council) try and fail to cast her out of town.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Trump raised tariffs on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent over the weekend, enraged over an anti-tariff ad aired in the Ontario province featuring President Ronald Reagan.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some instructors, particularly in the humanities, told Claybaugh they’ve been forced to shorten reading lists and assign lighter material in response to student complaints.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Farrell plays the police agent assigned with bringing Cruise’s character in.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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