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 The 2017 cuts capped the deduction at $10,000, alienating Republicans in higher-tax blue states where the deduction was popular among wealthier taxpayers. Aris Folley, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025 The dynamic in the exhibition is redeemed by the live events within it and their play against the archive, which feel earned but also alienated from the original artworks. Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Inaccurate wait times on the app and crowded pickup areas lead to chaotic store experiences, which can alienate both customers and baristas. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025 The controversy alienated even our party’s most loyal supporters who felt that party bosses, not Democratic primary voters, were deciding which candidate would emerge in the general election as the Democratic nominee. Ken Martin, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alienate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
  • More: The infuriating ambiguity of 'fine' Broadhurst has since graduated from Oxford and is now pursuing a masters in forensic speech science at the University of York.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • But the new textbooks have infuriated former government loyalists who defend their version of history.
    Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Forced to retreat back deeper in the field thanks to the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham has been nowhere near as effective this term as Madrid was bulldozed by FC Barcelona in four Clasicos and lost the Copa del Rey and Super Cup finals to it while also ceding La Liga to the Catalans.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Russia has demanded Ukraine recognize the regions as Russian in order to halt the conflict, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to cede territory to Russia to bring an end to the war.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The English-for-truckers push has particularly angered me, though.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
  • Any effort to rename the body of water would likely deeply anger Iran, which was historically called Persia, and perhaps other Middle Eastern states as well.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Diop conveys this transition through vacant corridors, black-lens security cameras, guard-booth windows, and white noise in the emptiness of the museum after visiting hours.
    Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
  • Lamia and Saeed are thoroughly engaging characters, and the young actors playing them convey strength and defiance beyond their years.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • As a result, Vance grew up estranged from his father and was unaware of his half-siblings, including Cory Bowman, for many years.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • By clinging to the 20% view, Democrats risk estranging the broader electorate who seek a middle ground.
    Nafees Alam, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the end, Piastri was forced to relinquish second place too as his teammate Lando Norris swept past him on newer, faster tires once all the cars had bunched up at the end of the race behind the safety car.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • There are any number of reasons why owners may choose to relinquish a pet.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Jason Kilar, who had just become head of what was then called Warner Media and was part of AT&T, was enraged enough at the messy debut that some executives soon would move on.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The government doesn’t keep statistics regarding the number of white farmers killed, but news of particularly brutal attacks has enraged many Afrikaners.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Among other resources, three engines have also been assigned to fight the wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
  • The re-tasking of U.S. naval ships assigned to the western Pacific theater comes as China—now possessing the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—expands its military reach and presence in the region, attempting to challenge American naval dominance.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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