ESTRANGEMENT Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

estrangement

noun

Definition of estrangement

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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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 estrangement Your younger son has been affected by his brother’s behavior throughout life, up to and including this current estrangement. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 Harry’s concern also reportedly ties back to his estrangement from his brother, Prince William. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2026 Disturbing allegations against the Duchess of Sussex’s father cast their estrangement—and the events leading up to Megxit—in a new light. — Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 31 Oct. 2026 While estrangement can sometimes seem sudden, experts say subtle changes may signal that a family relationship is beginning to unravel. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Her estrangement from the DSA was front and center in the final weeks of the campaign. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026 On his book tour, Collin also discussed his estrangement from most of his siblings and the negative effects of child fame on his life. — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 The accusation is pretty dark, given the circumstances of Acton and her mother’s estrangement. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026 Acton and Arthur have both acknowledged their estrangement in recent years, after Arthur supported her husband in court instead of siding with her daughter in the aforementioned case. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement

Noun

In other photographs of Deckard, Vaughan preserves his stillness, his distance, and arch alienation played to perfection by Ford.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
With its mix of teenage alienation, anti-authority diatribes and heaps of personality disorder, Darko is appealing in a kind of neo-Heathers, anti-establishment way.

— Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of alienation

Noun

Although terms of the separation are confidential, there was a pending judgment of divorce that needed approval from the New York County Supreme Court as of Wednesday, according to People.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Around that time, the family’s increasing financial strain, however, led the couple to discuss divorce.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of divorce

Noun

But Valdez suggested such schisms within the party would likely take a backseat to unity on domestic concerns like economic issues and immigration.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026
The schism would go on to shape the future of journalism from the newsletter economy all the way up to the highest echelons of Hollywood and television news after Weiss was appointed editor in chief of CBS News last year.

— Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

In a time when peers such as the New York Dolls and Velvet Underground were upending rock and roll with glamour and arty disaffection, Television fulfilled the genre’s promises of both swaggering virtuosity and restless reinvention.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaffection

Noun

But Lloyd, who had long struggled with mental health issues, was also suffering from drug addiction, and conflicts with Verlaine led to the band’s breakup.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Timberlake didn’t elaborate who the friend was but added that the friend was going through their own breakup, and that the track was modeled after Timberlake’s own public split.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of breakup

Noun

Although terms of the separation are confidential, there was a pending judgment of divorce that needed approval from the New York County Supreme Court as of Wednesday, according to People.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The hotel kitchen partners with Taka Taka Solutions for waste separation and composting.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of separation

Noun

The acknowledgment comes weeks after Aaron reunited with his family amid a years-long rift.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2026
After missing the playoffs, Notre Dame skipped its bowl game and had a public rift with the ACC, the conference its non-football teams play in.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of rift

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estrangement

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“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of estrangement

noun

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