Synonyms of alienate

alienate

verb

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 

1

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

• infuriate
• anger
• estrange
• enrage
• annoy
• alien
• outrage
• sour
• disaffect
• antagonize
• disappoint
• irritate
• sever
• aggravate
• embitter
• divide
• disgruntle
• bother
• enflame
• rile
• inflame
• dissociate
• split
• rankle
• exasperate
• disunite
• disillusion
• irk
• roil
• uncouple
• separate
• incense
• sunder
• vex
• disenchant
• madden
• unlink
• envenom
• pique
• unyoke
• chafe
• bug
• break up
• grate
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reconcile
• appease
• placate
• endear
• disarm
• pacify
• ingratiate
• conciliate
• mollify
• propitiate

2

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

• cede
• convey
• relinquish
• assign
• transfer
• bequeath
• lend
• donate
• alien
• dispose of
• will
• leave
• deed
• pass (down)
• move
• entrust
• contribute
• rent
• lease
• grant
• make over
• bestow
• loan
• transmit
• present
• commend
• confer
• surrender
• pass
• trust
• commit
• yield
• turn in
• deliver
• vest
• hand down
• consign
• let
• release
• turn over
• intrust
• hand over

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

Recent Examples of alienate

Its closure would alienate Tehran further In another blow to the bill's prospects, the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has ordered the removal of some key elements in the bill. —Erin Doherty, CNBC, 24 June 2025

The author has come under fire in recent years for her transphobic rhetoric and hostile views on gender identity, alienating generations of fans and drawing condemnation from the movie's stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. —EW.com, 23 June 2025

But Tuchel has risked alienating his talisman, who surely won’t have appreciated the comments. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 13 June 2025

Members were becoming alienated from one another, and bandleader Sly Stone in particular was dealing with all kinds of internal and external pressures, which led to health issues and a retreat from the spotlight, and both exorbitant spending and heavy drug use to cope with all of it. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 12 June 2025