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 Most Deep Purple fans had long since given up any hope of seeing the band ever share a stage with founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore again, due to a well-know, decades-long estrangement. — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 After a few years of estrangement, Tallulah and Moore have since reconciled — and Tallulah has gained a greater understanding of everything Moore had been through. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 In one nationally representative study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, 81% of adult children who experienced estrangement from their mothers later became unestranged, as did 69% of those estranged from their fathers. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The actor released an exclusive statement to Page Six that seemed to confirm their estrangement. — Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 7 Aug. 2026 The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback recently reunited with his family after a years-long estrangement. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Aug. 2026 Reports of their estrangement seem to always tie back to the Church of Scientology. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026 Over the years, the reports on Suri’s estrangement from her father largely blame his devotion to the controversial Church of Scientology. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 Rodgers’s estrangement from his brothers and parents first surfaced in 2016, when his brother Jordan shared Aaron had distanced himself from them. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 22 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement

Noun

The sense of alienation is also from a society designed by and for couples.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Research shows deep levels of alienation among Gen Z, or young people born between 1997 and 2012.

— Evan Clarkson, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of alienation

Noun

Either way, the legal fight between Gerhardt and Arielle Konig will continue, as their divorce is still pending.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Alcoholics Anonymous, which Pitt attended for 18 months after Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, sees sobriety as all-or-nothing with no exceptions, Schrank pointed out.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of divorce

Noun

The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
But the Kirtland church community soon experienced schisms and conflicts over doctrine, money and authority.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

Such growing disaffection is not a one-way street, with American approval of Britain dropping by 15% in the past five years.

— Garret Martin, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
But as each new generation gets further away from the novel’s original milieu and the image of Holden Caulfield has become shorthand for privileged disaffection, its necessity in curricula has been questioned.

— Adam Messinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of disaffection

Noun

Avoiding a court case also helped keep the the reason behind their breakup a mystery, though both have since hinted that the burden of fame and the constant pressure of being in the spotlight were more than the couple could bear.

— Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 8 Aug. 2026
Safety DeShon Singleton registered a 7-on-7 breakup against Fields.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of breakup

Noun

The couple announced their separation in 2006, and their divorce was finalized in 2007.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
That added thermal control is especially important for larger ABS, ASA, nylon, and carbon-fiber prints, where stable chamber temperatures help reduce warping, shrinkage, and layer separation across the Max 4’s nearly 400mm build volume.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of separation

Noun

In Vietnamese director Lê Bảo’s new film, an extended family confronts various rifts and estrangements in its ranks; years of silence must give way, slowly and haltingly, to communication.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
To the opening up of a rift from nature so absolute that economics and vested interests float free from measurable reality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of rift

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estranged

estrangement

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“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of estrangement

noun

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