as in schisms
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 estrangements
The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The celebrity chef’s raw and darkly humorous memoir explores her family’s demise and reconstruction — through divorce, estrangements, a brother’s sudden death and another’s suicide.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film blends sharp humor with aching self-reflection as the pair navigates a whirlwind of public tributes, old grudges and family estrangements, forcing both men to confront the choices, compromises and identities that have defined their lives.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The celebrity chef’s raw and darkly humorous memoir explores her family’s demise and reconstruction — through divorce, estrangements, a brother’s sudden death and another’s suicide.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film blends sharp humor with aching self-reflection as the pair navigates a whirlwind of public tributes, old grudges and family estrangements, forcing both men to confront the choices, compromises and identities that have defined their lives.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangements
Noun
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Given the schisms, some in the GOP believe only a single party-line bill may end up passing before November.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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But over the past decade or so, major schisms have emerged.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Grade separations greatly improve safety by reducing the chance of collisions between trains and cars, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Family separations cause grief, confusion, attachment disruption and guilt for children, often leading to lifelong emotional and psychological suffering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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Now that is her son’s task in his first visit to the former colonies since he was crowned, arriving amid rifts over the war in Iran and the future of NATO.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.—
William E. Lori,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Saturday his country is sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the strait once hostilities end.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Estrangements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangements. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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