as in alienation
the loss of friendship or affection
a silly quarrel that eventually resulted in a complete and lasting estrangement between the onetime friends
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Recent Examples of estrangement
The Beloved Javier Bardem stars as an acclaimed film director who reunites with his unsuccessful actress daughter on a movie after years of estrangement in Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s first movie in four years.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Different explanations have been given about the exact reason for their estrangement.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
Later that year, the Chrisley family came together for the first time to discuss Lindsie's years-long estrangement.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The group called itself the Impressions, but Vee-Jay, anxious to promote an individual star, advertised the song as by Jerry Butler and the Impressions, leading to estrangement between Butler and the other performers and to an unexpected solo career.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
The most touching is probably his re-connecting with Sabbath drummer Bill Ward after a decade of estrangement.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
After seven years of estrangement, Duchess Meghan has delivered a letter to her father, Thomas Markle, following his public pleas to get in contact.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The coach, who has her own history with estrangement, questioned why Winfrey is now treating the issue as a surprising crisis.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Her essays and commentary on colonial legacy and family estrangement appear in The New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Guernica, and Hazlitt, among others.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Different explanations have been given about the exact reason for their estrangement.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
Later that year, the Chrisley family came together for the first time to discuss Lindsie's years-long estrangement.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The group called itself the Impressions, but Vee-Jay, anxious to promote an individual star, advertised the song as by Jerry Butler and the Impressions, leading to estrangement between Butler and the other performers and to an unexpected solo career.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
The most touching is probably his re-connecting with Sabbath drummer Bill Ward after a decade of estrangement.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025
After seven years of estrangement, Duchess Meghan has delivered a letter to her father, Thomas Markle, following his public pleas to get in contact.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The coach, who has her own history with estrangement, questioned why Winfrey is now treating the issue as a surprising crisis.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Her essays and commentary on colonial legacy and family estrangement appear in The New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Guernica, and Hazlitt, among others.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
Noun
-
Tracy’s script skewers the hollow moral language of powerful corporate elites like Stone’s character, while also probing the anger and alienation driving Teddy and Don, treating their bonkers beliefs with both satire and unsettling flashes of emotional truth.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In a world in which that kind of alienation is pervasive, Cash’s look is refreshing.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Less than a month after her husband’s arrest on child rape charges, Sycamore Brewing co-founder Sarah Taylor filed for divorce from Justin Tawse Brigham, her husband of nearly two decades.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
And yet, despite the pain of going through a divorce, many women emerge on the other side stronger, happier and more empowered.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The right’s schisms were on full display during AmericaFest, Turning Point USA’s annual conference, which took place in Phoenix this past weekend.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
-
But in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a painful schism emerged between them, one that led them to stop speaking to one another for an extended period of time.—
Scott Huver,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This confusion lay in the speech’s weaving, wending contradictions, and its shifts between tones, something Foster purposefully aimed for in telling the story of her life from child stardom to adult disaffection.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In a recent interview on Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast, Clooney humorously observed how the twins' nascent teenage disaffection is keeping his A-list ego in check.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Kendricks finished 10 tackles, including two for loss, and the pass breakup.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The incident, which occurred at a south Phoenix home, appeared to be over a dispute relating to a breakup, ABC 15 and AZ Family reported, citing court documents, as well as family and witness testimonies.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Surrounding waters remain protected, preserving coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems that lend the island a sense of quiet separation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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Having no real material ready, Alex launches into a spontaneous public therapy session, getting personal about his separation and family life.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trade and technology further illuminate the growing rift.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The reunion was a landmark moment for the father and son, following reports of a rift in recent years.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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