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 In many of the cases NBC News uncovered, the people whose bodies went unclaimed were homeless, struggling with drug addiction or estranged from their families. Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024 According to our research, today, 1 in 2 adults is estranged from a close relative. Joshua Coleman and Will Johnson, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024 Haunted by his violent past and estranged from his son Mike (Joel Kinnaman), Jimmy is forced back into action when his old boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris) turns against him. Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 The two play estranged Jewish cousins who reconnect on a trip to Poland gifted to them by their recently deceased grandmother. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for estrange 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrange
Verb
  • Less infuriating to the host and showrunner were the two Survivor winners in the cast: Parvati Shallow and David Genat (who triumphed in the Australian version of the franchise).
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Mod and Woodall are stars, and the show itself is tender, romantic, joyful, infuriating, and so easy to get swept up in.
    refinery29.com, refinery29.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • 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
  • Instead of focusing solely on customer feedback, consider creating alternative products that could (deliberately) alienate current customers but attract new ones.
    Ioana Dragomir, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Multiple unauthorized drones flew above the Palisades fire Friday afternoon, forcing firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety and angering those working on the front lines, authorities said.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Context: Polis angered his own party in recent weeks for cheering the incoming Trump administration's government efficiency task force and celebrating the pick of vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary.
    John Frank, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
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
  • However, a trade would likely further enrage an already frustrated Jets fan base.
    Theo Gremminger, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Newsom’s aggressive deployment of officers has enraged some anti-police advocates who say that over-policing the region is not a solution.
    Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate are outraged by the decision.
    Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The outcome of the investigation outraged the Fernandez and Puig families.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But that relationship appears to have soured during Biden’s presidency.
    Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Lan Guan, chief AI officer of Accenture has noted that without transparency, enthusiasm for AI can quickly sour.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Mark Crew shot his wife in 1982, while an accomplice severed her head.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Legislation must outlaw ransom payments, severing a critical funding stream for cyberterrorists and criminals.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near estrange

Cite this Entry

“Estrange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrange. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on estrange

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