Synonym Chooser

How does the verb alienate contrast with its synonyms?

The words disaffect and estrange are common synonyms of alienate. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When is it sensible to use disaffect instead of alienate?

The meanings of disaffect and alienate largely overlap; however, disaffect refers especially to those from whom loyalty is expected and stresses the effects (such as rebellion or discontent) of alienation without actual separation.

troops disaffected by hunger

In what contexts can estrange take the place of alienate?

Although the words estrange and alienate have much in common, estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

Examples 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 alienate And More Without this level of connection, brands risk alienating their customers. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Some men have felt alienated, even under attack, as women gained power. Emily Peck, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 Those policies could alienate partners from Washington and strain relations among countries within the alliance system, giving Beijing and Moscow new room for diplomatic maneuvering. Robin Niblett, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2025 Teddy descends into cruel, self-righteous paranoia, quickly alienating his family — to say nothing of the Maine electorate — in a bid to regain control of his campaign and life. Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alienate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
  • The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • And coming around once every four years to beg for votes is both insulting and infuriating.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After all, power is easy to cede but difficult to recover.
    Casey Burgat, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Neither Beijing nor Manila is likely to cede ground on the South China Sea dispute anytime soon.
    Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But in a surprising twist — one that angered Judge Timothy Fancourt — both sides on Tuesday asked for more time to thrash out a deal.
    Max Taylor, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Otherwise, the only other fix is charging more, which presents the risk of angering customers and decreasing revenue.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The decision to erect the statue could convey as much about the current regime’s views of national power and state control, observers suggested at the time.
    Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Words may fall short when portraying the shock, trauma and cognitive dissonance, but when words fail, there are images, objects and sensual immersion that can convey a perception of what happened and how the Nova festival community has come together for healing and hope.
    Karen-Janine Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since then, they have been estranged from the family.
    Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Suri has seemingly dropped Tom's last name and is reportedly estranged from her father.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Chiefs wouldn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game.
    Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • And, to access the program, a parent must relinquish custody of his or her child to the state — a requirement many parents find inhumane.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The non-call on the play left Flyers coach John Tortorella, who is notoriously known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, enraged.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The construction of the fence — which locals estimate spans at least 20 miles of the ranch’s border — enraged some locals.
    Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the aftermath of the crypto ball that was organized by David Sacks, and the label of the first crypto President being assigned to Trump the expectations for proactive and forward looking action are quite high.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Since the Voluntary Resolution Agreement did not assign liability for the flooding, the responsibility for finding government funds to fix the flood damage has largely fallen to the Shiloh community members.
    Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near alienate

Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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