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 Unluckily, Alys, freshly alienated by Daemon, arrives just in time to nurse the enemy of her enemy back to health. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026 Trump's decision to cancel the signing could possibly alienate Republicans who were hoping to present this legislative victory to voters ahead of the midterm elections. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 June 2026 The split in the MAGA movement between Shapiro and others in the online right is real, and could alienate a portion of the audience that may pass on subscribing or paying the Daily Wire for its consumer products like Jeremy’s Chocolates. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 But despite the obvious positives, the league seems to be committed to alienating as many fans as possible by allowing overt political messages. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate

Verb

They’re infuriated with a military that turned out to repress civilian protests in recent years, but appeared slow to mobilize in support of earthquake victims this week.

— Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2026
The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

But rather than cede ground to an outsider, the town's residents plant TNT in every single structure, blowing them up before Lassiter can get his hands on them.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
The Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant has yet to gain anything approaching ubiquity in the business world, and the GitHub Copilot coding agent has ceded market share to newer players.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

The comments that could have potentially angered Adebayo stem from screenshots of an Instagram direct message conversation shared on X in recent days that show a profile seemingly run by Herro critiquing Adebayo.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Neighbors feel less safe with ICE around The latest incident has angered the Latino community in Houston and has left others fearful.

— Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 10 July 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Hizkia, a Dutch specialist art transportation firm, conveyed it from there by truck, under police escort to the museum in the heart of London.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
The exterior of the Bowden house was found in Atlanta, and then McCall built a set for the interiors that was intended to convey the history implied in the script.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Definition of convey

Verb

Since his 2016 split from ex-wife Angelina Jolie, Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt has been estranged from their six children—Maddox, 24; Pax, 22; Zahara, 21; Shiloh, 20; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 18.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026
The pair were also estranged in the subsequent years following her parents’ 2005 divorce.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Definition of estrange

Verb

The suggestion has enraged many of the victims and fierce opponents of the Islamic Republic who have found refuge in Canada.

— Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Despite his concessions to the SSPX, Francis enraged many Catholic traditionalists by reversing Benedict's relaxation on celebrating the old Latin Mass for the broader Catholic Church.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

The man — identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson — fled on foot, pursued by Memphis police officers along with Tennessee National Guard soldiers who are assigned to the area.

— Joel Rose, NPR, 5 July 2026
Around the same time, Sullivan, who was assigned male at birth, began questioning her gender identity.

— Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of alienate

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