estrange

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estrange contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and disaffect are common synonyms of estrange. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

When could alienate be used to replace estrange?

The words alienate and estrange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When would disaffect be a good substitute for estrange?

The words disaffect and estrange can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 estrange Her arrest, first reported by In Touch Weekly, came after she was previously estranged from her mother. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 19 Oct. 2024 As the trust stands now, all four siblings would have an equal vote, which means the three other eldest Murdoch kids, most of whom are estranged from their father, could gang up on Lachlan. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024 Tom, on the other hand, is reportedly estranged from his daughter, and has allegedly not seen her since a family trip to Walt Disney World in 2012, per Page Six. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 As a man estranged from his family who loses himself in his work, Law portrays Husk as someone easy to underestimate, seemingly adrift in a fog of booze and self-pity, yet driven by a professionalism who can nevertheless rise to the occasion when needed. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for estrange 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrange
Verb
  • Trump’s move effectively killed off Johnson’s bill, which was more than 1,500 pages long and included a number of concessions to Democrats that infuriated conservatives, rank-and-file GOP members and Elon Musk.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Clusters of unidentified drones buzzing the night skies over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York have alarmed residents, infuriated members of Congress and prompted a call for a state of emergency in the Garden State.
    Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Over-automation risks alienating customers who value empathy and personalized service.
    Charles Orlando, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • West Bank annexation could also undermine Israeli alliances with Egypt and Jordan and alienate European military partners who have assisted U.S. missile defense efforts, leaving Washington alone to shoulder the burden.
    Rosemary Kelanic, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Donald Trump's idea of abolishing the debt limit is foundering on Capitol Hill as Democrats line up against it and Republicans uncomfortably try to shoot it down without angering the president-elect.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Around 10 individuals ran onto the court waving Palestinian flags, angering hundreds of attendees from the French Jewish community cheering for the Israeli team.
    Bradford Betz, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In ever more apocalyptic language, Trump has sought to unify his MAGA movement with strongman pledges to defend Americans from millions of hostile foreigners seeking to storm the country and to root out enemy aliens within.
    Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
  • The film follows a ragtag group of actors (played by Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, among other stars) from an ‘80s sci-fi series who aliens unexpectedly abduct during a convention appearance.
    Matt Juul, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2023
Verb
  • In a system that delivers high-quality care to those who can afford it and successfully navigate it, but enrages many people who encounter its restrictions and outlandish costs, the answers to these sorts of questions are often hard to find.
    John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • There are, to be sure, plenty of Americans both enraged and fearful about his coming presidency.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Without replacing them before the cold weather arrives, you could be left with a cold home, outrages energy expenses, and an HVAC system that breaks down from working overtime to regulate indoor temperatures.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Reactions to Hinckley's announcement ranged from cracking jokes to outrage that he has been released from prison.
    Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But his outlook began to sour in 2022, two years after joining OpenAI as a researcher.
    Jakob Rodgers, Chicago Tribune, 13 Dec. 2024
  • After the pandemic’s e-commerce boom, big spender expectations for this holiday season began to sour like spoiled eggnog when inflation entered the chat and the labor market softened.
    Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Herr had wondered whether the muscles severed in an amputation could be meaningfully connected again.
    Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
  • In a development that showed both an admission of making the wrong hire and a willingness to quickly pivot, Foster severed ties with Bieniemy on Thursday after their one season together produced across-the-board struggles on offense.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near estrange

Cite this Entry

“Estrange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrange. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

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