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
That empty seat marks the beginning of a painful estrangement, as Ana confronts loneliness for the first time, far from the protection of her parents and her closest companion.
—
Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The home functions not only as a symbolic site for intimate matters, but also as an indefinite space that could exist anywhere in the world, reflecting the sense of estrangement many people feel when moving abroad, far from their country of origin.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Lockwood has learned and repurposed this trick of estrangement.
—Paul McAdory, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
However, in a May profile in The New York Times, Miley said that there was no longer any estrangement with her father.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Over seven seasons the show covers topics like menopause, elder care, homophobia, estrangement, discrimination, and more.
—Beth Nguyen, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, have reunited amid the royal family's estrangement from the outspoken prince.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The Cairo-Riyadh estrangement is one such shift.
—Khaled Hassan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that Meghan’s family estrangement looms heavily over her, casting a dark shadow on her efforts to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The home functions not only as a symbolic site for intimate matters, but also as an indefinite space that could exist anywhere in the world, reflecting the sense of estrangement many people feel when moving abroad, far from their country of origin.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Lockwood has learned and repurposed this trick of estrangement.
—Paul McAdory, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
However, in a May profile in The New York Times, Miley said that there was no longer any estrangement with her father.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Over seven seasons the show covers topics like menopause, elder care, homophobia, estrangement, discrimination, and more.
—Beth Nguyen, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, have reunited amid the royal family's estrangement from the outspoken prince.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The Cairo-Riyadh estrangement is one such shift.
—Khaled Hassan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that Meghan’s family estrangement looms heavily over her, casting a dark shadow on her efforts to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
Noun
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The resulting alienation and disorientation reflect the basic principles of existential philosophy, in which Pidmohylnyi is close to his European counterparts of the day.—
Nelly Klos
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Lawrence also took aim at divisions among Americans over politics that risked alienation among young people.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have said very little in public about their 2024 divorce.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Her mother says the divorce was a life-saving decision.—
Carlotta Dotto,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Signs of a minor schism emerged at Sunderland last week, when Emery was critical of deadline-day acquisition Harvey Elliott.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
This brings us to the differences between the characters, which point to pivotal schisms between Anderson and Pynchon as storytellers.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Even the employees, once the guardians of glamour, linger on smoke breaks with the weary disaffection of people simply marking time.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
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Other bands, such as Arcade Fire and the Postal Service, were turning away from the disaffection that characterized Gen X rock to express bighearted feelings in bespoke ways.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In videos shared to the meteor society and to local TV outlets, the satellite’s breakup appeared dramatic but serene, moving slowly across the sky and trailing glowing fragments for several seconds.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Scott was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season and had two pass breakups, six tackles and 1½ tackles for loss prior to sustaining a lower leg injury in a Week 3 game against Western Michigan.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
During Christmas dinner, Martha (72) announces her separation after discovering her husband’s affair with her best friend, upending the holiday as her children and their partners confront their own romantic issues.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Here's everything to know about Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's separation.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Had the great rift between nature and humanity already occurred two million years ago?—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps this is leading to relationship difficulties and highlighting potential rifts in other friendships?—
Miriam Kirmayer,
SELF,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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