estranging

verb

present participle of estrange
as in alienating
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring she estranged several of her coworkers when she let her promotion go to her head

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 estranging So, how can an organization remain current on customers' ever-changing needs and expectations without annoying or estranging them? — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estranging
  1. alienating
  2. angering
  3. infuriating
  4. outraging
  5. enraging
  6. souring
  7. severing
Verb
  • Physicality presents technical challenges to audio recording, and wit—primarily achievable by coming up with lots of ideas in advance—quickly becomes alienating in a casual setting.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Artists playing into their politics isn’t without risk, as many steer clear to avoid alienating fans or getting embroiled in controversy.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of alienating
Verb
  • Data center demand began driving up electric bills last year across a 13-state electricity grid stretching from Illinois to New Jersey and Maryland, angering ratepayers.
    — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of angering
Verb
  • Life was crazy and the entertainment business was weird and journalism was infuriating.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Cummings said that in January 2021, a friend of Birchmore’s called Stoughton police and told a dispatcher about the illicit relationship, infuriating Farwell.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of infuriating
Verb
  • The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
    — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of outraging
Verb
  • The administration removed hundreds of trees from the East Potomac Golf Links over the weekend, enraging the judge.
    — Julia Boehning, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of enraging
Verb
  • It’s well documented that a souring relationship can increase your chances of anxiety, eating disorders, and emotional issues.
    — Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Ideally for Detroit, the team will cement both players as franchise pillars without souring any relationships over contract value.
    — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of souring
Verb
  • His iconic chest symbol even doubles as a detachable axe for severing limbs.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Proposition 5 amends California’s Constitution to change how recall elections work, severing the recall vote from who replaces the official in office.
    — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of severing

Browse Nearby Words

estranges
estranging
estuaries
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Cite this Entry

“Estranging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estranging. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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