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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alienate
Alienation doesn’t only spur people to conquer the system that alienated them.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The enhanced partnership garnered some local criticism recently over JMI partners having exclusivity to use Kentucky logos and uniforms in third-party NIL deals, and questions on whether those constraints might be alienating high-profile basketball recruits who signed elsewhere.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Weather apps have a tendency to alienate their user bases, perhaps because people’s physical experiences—their plans, their dress, their commutes—so directly depend on an accurate report.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Was there any fear that the episode might be too controversial or alienate any viewers?
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alienate
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The enhanced partnership garnered some local criticism recently over JMI partners having exclusivity to use Kentucky logos and uniforms in third-party NIL deals, and questions on whether those constraints might be alienating high-profile basketball recruits who signed elsewhere.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Weather apps have a tendency to alienate their user bases, perhaps because people’s physical experiences—their plans, their dress, their commutes—so directly depend on an accurate report.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Was there any fear that the episode might be too controversial or alienate any viewers?
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alienate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate
Verb
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The plaintiffs’ lawyers also have complained that delays infuriate their clients, who expect higher payouts as cases drag on.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The liberal Democratic governor, whose strict gun control measures have long infuriated gun owners, this week filed a bill to allow Sunday hunting and expand crossbow hunting, long overdue moves that aimed to shore up one of her biggest weaknesses in an election year.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Boswell, the team’s senior leader, has ceded time on the ball to Wagler during the freshman’s remarkable rise to being named a second-team All-American.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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The reality of the military situation suggests that the Donbas will be ceded to Moscow, as will the coastal strip in the south that links Crimea to Russia.—
Olivier Kempf,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or simply anger that any parent would have to suffer the agony of having a missing child.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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The first major nationwide protests against the Islamic regime began in June 2009, with demonstrators angered by the fraudulent presidential election.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Musically, the singer-songwriter presents us with 13 tracks of sonic elegance, featuring electronic touches and mesmerizing guitars that convey nostalgia while also reflecting the overflowing joy of someone who has overcome an emotional crisis.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
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That could imply staff changes or bringing in new people, as well as adjustments to the models used to forecast the economy and communications strategy the Fed uses to convey its policy outlook to markets and the public.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The already anxious Rachel, who lost her mother as an infant and is estranged from her dad, has a bad feeling about her nuptials in five days.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Prince Harry and Prince William are said to be estranged these days and have reportedly not met in person for years.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The United States has offered Iran a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire that includes it relinquishing control of the strait, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region — possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the waterway from Iran.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Bohm’s lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages and that his parents relinquish control of the accounts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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News of its $1,500-a-person price tag particularly enraged skeptical locals.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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And though voting for the award ended before his latest controversy—a comment about opera and ballet that enraged those communities, Chalamet didn’t go into the 98th Academy Awards as the favorite.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a similar case in New Mexico, a jury on Tuesday ruled that Meta had knowingly harmed children’s mental health, and assigned the company a penalty of $375 million.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
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Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard made history as the first openly transgender woman to do so in Tokyo in 2021, though no woman who transitioned after being assigned male at birth is known to have participated in an Olympics since.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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