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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 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
-
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
-
But over the past decade or so, major schisms have emerged.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many movies and shows are now overlapping between both, but there are still some separations.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
29 Mar. 2026
-
During the 43 day shutdown last fall, TSA experienced a 25% increase in officer separations compared to that same time the year before, TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing in which lawmakers addressed the impacts of the shutdown.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their contrasting positions mirror growing rifts within the Republican Party over whether military action against Iran is justified and appropriate.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The carbon released by tectonic rifts may have had a larger role in driving major climate transitions than that released by tectonic convergences.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the outcome might end up along the lines of a no lose/no lose, winding down of hostilities.—
Daniel Kurtzer,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
This past week, Wang hosted his Pakistani counterpart in Beijing to hash out their five-point proposal, calling for an end to hostilities and the reopening of the strait.—
Didi Tang,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Estrangements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangements. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
