1
as in angering
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceding
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
as in displeasing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alienating
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The constant stream of news about the chaos of the economy can be both disturbing and alienating, but Rodgers points out that staying connected with others can be crucial during the present political climate.
—Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
With a thoughtful use of color, Wezel constructs a visual world that feels both alienating and intensely sensorial, like a vivid dream uncomfortably close to reality.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Man Ray is one of the few Dada-Surrealist cusp figures who finessed affiliations with both movements without alienating either one.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Media brands that cave to Trump, or appear to do so, risk alienating a huge swath of the American audience.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Employers who rely solely on intuition or outdated practices risk alienating an entire generation of talent.
—Gisela Carere, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Tripartite military exercises with China and Russia had been slated to occur in South African waters just weeks before November’s G-20 summit in Johannesburg, and South African officials have sought to postpone them to avoid further alienating the United States.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2025
An affable dad who avoids divisive topics like politics and religion in favor of gentler, autobiographical material that tends to cast him as a well-meaning fool, the Tennessee native is also the rare comic capable of appealing to, or at least not actively alienating, a broad swathe of viewers.
—Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Because his priority is not alienating half of the Cowboys’ fan base.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Their approach is assertive and inviting rather than aggressive and alienating.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The constant stream of news about the chaos of the economy can be both disturbing and alienating, but Rodgers points out that staying connected with others can be crucial during the present political climate.
—Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That said, brands run the risk of alienating their core audience, according to Thomai Serdari, marketing professor at New York University.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
With a thoughtful use of color, Wezel constructs a visual world that feels both alienating and intensely sensorial, like a vivid dream uncomfortably close to reality.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Man Ray is one of the few Dada-Surrealist cusp figures who finessed affiliations with both movements without alienating either one.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Media brands that cave to Trump, or appear to do so, risk alienating a huge swath of the American audience.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Employers who rely solely on intuition or outdated practices risk alienating an entire generation of talent.
—Gisela Carere, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Tripartite military exercises with China and Russia had been slated to occur in South African waters just weeks before November’s G-20 summit in Johannesburg, and South African officials have sought to postpone them to avoid further alienating the United States.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2025
An affable dad who avoids divisive topics like politics and religion in favor of gentler, autobiographical material that tends to cast him as a well-meaning fool, the Tennessee native is also the rare comic capable of appealing to, or at least not actively alienating, a broad swathe of viewers.
—Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Because his priority is not alienating half of the Cowboys’ fan base.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienating
Verb
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The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Dwight also declines that, angering Ray.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company also missed the AI boom, having stopped making the chips that hyperscalers and AI giants like Nvidia badly need seven years ago, and ceding that market to Taiwan’s TSMC and Korea’s Samsung.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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By ceding possession in their own half and inviting the opposition into their own third, City are manufacturing space for Haaland to run into in a way that is not possible when dominating territory.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In March, a bloc of centrist lawmakers broke ranks to advance a Republican spending bill without concessions, infuriating progressive groups that accused party leaders of capitulation.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.—
Jessie Rosen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps that was the message Tocchet was conveying to the youngster Saturday morning, when the two were seen chatting at center ice for a few minutes before practice.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
None of them are conveying imminent danger.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So, how can an organization remain current on customers' ever-changing needs and expectations without annoying or estranging them?—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In assigning him that seemingly perverse task, Scorsese tapped into the vague air of vacuity at the center of a star who’s always seemed present and absent all at once.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Still, the district pushed on with assigning Rupert to a different school.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film captures every enraging detail of the trial while using it as a jumping off point for an exploration of the history of the region and the ways in which the Chuchagasta have been bureaucratically erased in order to strip them of their property and rights.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2025
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While leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the shooting and rejected the use of political violence, a flood of comments on social media celebrated Kirk’s death, enraging conservatives.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Quarterback Kelvin Durham recorded his best performance since transferring in from Fort Valley State, where Flowers previously coached.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alienating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienating. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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