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
But during the couple’s bitter and years-long divorce battle, the domestic violence allegations resurfaced and reportedly contributed to the actor’s estrangement from most, if not all, of his six children.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Since the death of her second husband, the art teacher, the estrangement from her family has weighed heavier.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The former prince’s estrangement from the royal family is the least of his woes, as the prince’s funds are running low amid legal troubles.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Yeo’s character, a beer supplier at a hawker centre, is an immigrant woman who arrives in the lives of a father and son, embodying the film’s central tension between belonging and estrangement.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
What kind of mean girl would confide in me about her husband Evan’s depression and their financial struggles and her estrangement from her father?
—Jen Wang, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
After decades of estrangement between him and Hutton, the two reconciled last year.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Farnum said that Negron and Hutton reconciled last year after decades of estrangement.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
After decades of estrangement between him and Hutton, the two former bandmates met last year in a timely effort to exchange apologies and bury the hatchet.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Since the death of her second husband, the art teacher, the estrangement from her family has weighed heavier.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The former prince’s estrangement from the royal family is the least of his woes, as the prince’s funds are running low amid legal troubles.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Yeo’s character, a beer supplier at a hawker centre, is an immigrant woman who arrives in the lives of a father and son, embodying the film’s central tension between belonging and estrangement.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
What kind of mean girl would confide in me about her husband Evan’s depression and their financial struggles and her estrangement from her father?
—Jen Wang, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
After decades of estrangement between him and Hutton, the two reconciled last year.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Farnum said that Negron and Hutton reconciled last year after decades of estrangement.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
After decades of estrangement between him and Hutton, the two former bandmates met last year in a timely effort to exchange apologies and bury the hatchet.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
Noun
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That alienation was increased by Preminger’s treatment of Seberg on set, which was, by all first-hand accounts, extremely harsh.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
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Interestingly, though, many female writers express alienation through close attention to characters’ disconnection from their physical self.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In late October 2022, on the cusp of the faceoff between Hastings and Sheehan, court documents were unsealed in his divorce proceedings that portrayed the veteran legislator as being unable to control his anger in front of his children.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
When Ada was eleven, the voice told her that her parents were getting a divorce.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Defense Department’s reliance on Anthropic’s AI came as a shocking realization that ultimately led to their dramatic schism, according to a top Pentagon official.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Harper’s disgust marks a major schism between the former besties.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On her new single—a piano ballad of dubious sincerity—Canadian DJ and songwriter Brat Star invokes Paltrow’s greatest role as one-third of a holy trinity of disaffection.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, many of these books’ characters are portrayed as avatars of resentment and disaffection, men who seem to fall prey to the rigid vision of masculinity dispensed by real-life adherents to the manosphere.—
Eric Magnuson,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Is there a path for states to keep pushing for a Live Nation breakup?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Royal breakup Netflix wished Meghan Markle all the best with her lifestyle brand after the streaming giant and the Duchess of Sussex decided to end their partnership.—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Dominican Republic added separation again in the seventh.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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In recent years, the company has been refining the chemistry and engineering behind its process, including solvent systems and separation techniques to recover high-purity polyester and cellulose from complex textile waste streams.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s announcement of a new supreme leader came after the country’s remaining leadership appeared to show a rift.—
Cara Anna,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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The eventual rift between the unlikely pair began in August 2024.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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