ALIENATE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

alienate

verb

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt

Definition of alienate

as in to infuriate

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring her changed position on the issue surprised and alienated many of her supporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cede

to give over the legal possession or ownership of landowners have a right to alienate their right of ownership—in other words, they can sell the land if they want to

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

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 Even the left treads cautiously, wary that outspoken support for Palestinian statehood will alienate voters. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026 The real danger lies in alienating the public, who perceive the company as a bully, undermining the very affection that made Buc-ee's successful. — Allen Adamson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Churches were closed and unable to take strong vaccine positions without alienating their members. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 Trump’s policies have generated blowback on the right, alienating some prominent supporters and dividing the GOP heading into the midterm election. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate

Verb

Georgia prosecutors have charged Deja Coleman, his mother, with second-degree murder, infuriating child safety advocates who say that hot car deaths are nearly always accidental and tragic.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Under its previous operator, Mountain View had been plagued by riots that drew negative press and infuriated locals.

— Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

The two women who won jury trials in their lawsuits against the county are angered that the county has opted to appeal.

— Sean Emery, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2026
Public backlash is prompting San Diego to reopen 13 restrooms in Mission Bay Park this Friday after a six-week closure during the heart of summer that angered city residents and tourists.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

To convey those sensory elements, the perfume house began by marrying cherry and davana, then leaned into fractionated patchouli oil and relied on black violet notes for their depth.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
The crying can become the dominant thing, and the acting is the crying as opposed to being able to convey a personality underneath all of that, being able to find the nuance of who this character is outside of the crying.

— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of convey

Verb

Our findings were consistent with what sociologist Karl Pillemer found in his 2020 national survey, which showed that 27% of Americans were estranged from a relative, or roughly 67 million people.

— Rin Reczek, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
The two, who were estranged for many years, had an impactful conversation about Haven’s sexuality, the former actor said on the All Out with Jon Dean podcast Wednesday.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of estrange

Verb

There have been small changes to the ownership structures of Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the last decade but without control ever being relinquished.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Panettiere's dual battle with postpartum depression and addiction influenced her decision to agree to relinquish custody of Kaya to her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

Tracking the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help investors pick the right dividend stocks, as these experts assign their ratings after an in-depth analysis of a company's financials and ability to pay dividends consistently.

— , CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
In early 2025, Said was assigned to cover the Los Angeles wildfires and additional weather events, according to the suit, and while in the field sustained a bone contusion when a piece of heavy equipment struck her foot.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of assign

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alien

alienate

alienated

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“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of alienate

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