estranged

adjective

es·​tranged i-ˈstrānjd How to pronounce estranged (audio)
: having lost former closeness and affection : in a state of alienation from a previous close or familial relationship
her estranged husband [=her husband with whom she no longer lives]
Social workers may try to resolve conflicts between estranged siblings.Jonathan D. Rockoff
He had taken out a life insurance policy on his estranged wife just weeks before her murder …David Fisher
… it's kind of shameful to admit your idea of unwinding in front of the TV is watching somebody's entire family get murdered by their greedy, estranged uncle.Lauren Zupkus

Examples of estranged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The action-comedy from director Seth Gordon features the formidable Close as Ginny, an MI6 operative vet and the estranged mother of Cameron Diaz’s character, Emily. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025 The new sitcom follows Matt (Allen), the widowed owner of a shop that restores classic cars whose estranged daughter Riley (Dennings) and her two kids move back into his home. Esther Kang, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 An estranged uncle’s recipes end up in Hollywood The roommates, who both grew up in South Florida, became friends doing TV production at Western High School in Davie. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025 The plot follows two estranged sisters — estranged for what seems like obvious reasons, because wild child Nicky’s former husband Adam in the present day is married to Nicky’s type-A sister Chloe. Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for estranged 

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of estranged was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near estranged

Cite this Entry

“Estranged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estranged. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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