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 Democrats, Campbell said, have to figure out how to appeal to those religious groups without alienating those secular voters. — Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Green Lantern stories can have a tendency to lean too far into the sc-fi angle, which can alienate a lot of non-hardcore fans. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 The same can be said about Tess, who has a fierce, relentless attitude that alienates a few of her friends throughout the movie. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Did the party go too far left and alienate working class voters? — David Weigel, semafor.com, 12 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 White House had previously angered US ranchers by quadrupling low-tariff imports of Argentine beef to cool prices.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
During a joint practice last summer in Houston, Moehrig decked Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson on a hard but clean hit that angered a few of Hutchinson’s teammates.

— Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Even with the team then languishing at 51-74 at the time, Pasquantino conveyed a certain sense of urgency.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
The collector should have bought a Claude piece, which conveys better taste, or a major work from François-Xavier, like a bar.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 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

The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.

— Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of enrage

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

Browse Nearby Words

alien

alienate

alienated

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“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of alienate

verb

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