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 Returns intelligence gives retailers the ability to act with greater precision at a moment when one-size-fits-all policies erode margins and alienate consumers, driving up costs and squeezing already thin margins. Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025 Broadcom has delivered on its promise to investors in the near term, but sustaining momentum without further alienating its customer base will determine whether this high-stakes bet pays off in the long run. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 This is a big deal in that IT world — and further proof of how billions of dollars create CEOs who operate in ways that can alienate regular folks. Christian Josi, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 By the end, Ron is the only one left for Jay; that’s how much Jay has alienated everyone. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alienate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
  • Her son’s middling grades infuriated her.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The announcement infuriated both Democratic and Republican officials in Colorado, which has a booming aerospace industry.
    Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Wintour has tapped protege and Vogue digital editor Chloe Malle as head of editorial content for the American edition of Vogue, taking the reins from Wintour, who ceded her role leading the publication in June.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Just days after announcing her engagement to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift ceded some of the spotlight to a fellow NFL WAG celebrating a milestone birthday.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Robert Bianco, a longtime TV critic for USA Today, emphasized how strongly Levin supported him even when Bianco’s reviews angered Levin’s sources.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Platner also worked as a contractor for Constellis, a successor to the security company Blackwater, which has angered some online activists.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The warm welcome Putin received in China, coupled with the military and diplomatic might on display during the summit and the military parade, was designed to convey a message.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
  • These artists no doubt saw themselves in the plucky perspective that Swift’s lyrics conveyed.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Drummer Joyce has been estranged from Morrissey and Marr following a 1996 lawsuit over the Smiths royalties that was contentious.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Donna Adelson’s eldest son, Rob Adelson, testified that he’s been estranged from his mother since 2016, around the time law enforcement arrested the gunmen who killed Markel.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.
    Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shortly after Rose took the helm at the pageant, both Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • We should all be enraged by these practices and should withdraw whatever support is left of the administration’s immigration agenda.
    Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Medvedev was enraged by chair umpire Greg Allensworth’s decision to award his opponent a first serve after a photographer entered the court on match point.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Among other resources, an engine has also been assigned to fight the wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Their goal was to find an IP address — the unique identifier assigned to every cell phone and computer — that could reveal the source.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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