Synonyms of alienate

alienate

verb

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 

1

as in to infuriate

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring

her changed position on the issue surprised and alienated many of her supporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infuriate
• anger
• estrange
• enrage
• annoy
• alien
• outrage
• sour
• disaffect
• antagonize
• disappoint
• irritate
• sever
• aggravate
• embitter
• disgruntle
• divide
• bother
• rile
• inflame
• dissociate
• split
• rankle
• exasperate
• disunite
• disillusion
• irk
• roil
• uncouple
• separate
• incense
• sunder
• vex
• disenchant
• madden
• unlink
• envenom
• pique
• unyoke
• chafe
• bug
• break up
• grate
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reconcile
• appease
• placate
• endear
• disarm
• pacify
• ingratiate
• conciliate
• mollify
• propitiate

2

as in to cede

to give over the legal possession or ownership of

landowners have a right to alienate their right of ownership—in other words, they can sell the land if they want to

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cede
• convey
• relinquish
• assign
• transfer
• bequeath
• lend
• alien
• donate
• dispose of
• will
• leave
• deed
• pass (down)
• move
• contribute
• entrust
• rent
• grant
• lease
• make over
• bestow
• transmit
• present
• commend
• confer
• pass
• surrender
• trust
• commit
• loan
• yield
• turn in
• deliver
• vest
• hand down
• consign
• let
• release
• turn over
• hand over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of alienate

Support for individual data centers already approved for zoning across the county has fallen along similar lines, attracting construction unions and school systems while alienating neighbors. —Ilana Arougheti june 1, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026

And Pritzker and fellow Democrats faced the familiar tension of trying to balance growing calls from the progressive left to generate more revenue to support state programs with a more centrist desire to avoid alienating business interests. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026

Others, however, feel completely alienated by the choices on offer. —Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026

Politically, this strategy of watering down her own initiatives to avoid alienating interest groups might have worked, if not for the fires. —Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026