as in alienation
the loss of friendship or affection
a silly quarrel that eventually resulted in a complete and lasting estrangement between the onetime friends
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Recent Examples of estrangement
Jarmusch lulls us into thinking this part will be the exception to the theme of virtual estrangement, just through the bond between the twins that seems to return instantly after an unspecified but seemingly considerable amount of time apart.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The celebrity chef’s raw and darkly humorous memoir explores her family’s demise and reconstruction — through divorce, estrangements, a brother’s sudden death and another’s suicide.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
From their now signature hand-in-hand walk out to subtle nods and hip-check nudges between them, the years of estrangement seemed like an ancient memory, leaving in their place a dedication to playing their most beloved songs as loudly, brashly and tightly as ever.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
Aaron's estrangement from his family is well-documented.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Of course, if the Sussexes continue producing negative content about the royal family, estrangement will persist.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
This decision resulted in nearly a decade of estrangement and set the stage for the complicated reunion that drives the series’ plot.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
That’s without mentioning his estrangement from his kids, all who have mostly cut contact with him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Aug. 2025
This estrangement has clearly complicated her grieving process.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The celebrity chef’s raw and darkly humorous memoir explores her family’s demise and reconstruction — through divorce, estrangements, a brother’s sudden death and another’s suicide.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
From their now signature hand-in-hand walk out to subtle nods and hip-check nudges between them, the years of estrangement seemed like an ancient memory, leaving in their place a dedication to playing their most beloved songs as loudly, brashly and tightly as ever.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
Aaron's estrangement from his family is well-documented.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Of course, if the Sussexes continue producing negative content about the royal family, estrangement will persist.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
This decision resulted in nearly a decade of estrangement and set the stage for the complicated reunion that drives the series’ plot.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
That’s without mentioning his estrangement from his kids, all who have mostly cut contact with him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Aug. 2025
This estrangement has clearly complicated her grieving process.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
Noun
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The believer, in turn, may feel just as dismissed or misunderstood as the other, which ultimately closes the loop of alienation from both ends.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The pilgrimage, listed on the official calendar of jubilee events, comes as gay Catholics look to Pope Leo XIV to continue down the bold path of his predecessor to welcome into the church a group that has in the past faced alienation and sometimes harsh treatment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In a statement to PEOPLE, Richards’ divorce attorney Brett Berman denied the allegations and accused Phypers of abusing and harassing the actress.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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The couple announced their divorce back in 2023.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When there is a schism in trade relations, the deficit country [is] at an advantage.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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An early 20th century conflict for control of the publishing board incited a schism that led to the formation of a new denomination and its own publishing agency, the National Baptist Convention of America and RH Boyd Publishing.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Even the employees, once the guardians of glamour, linger on smoke breaks with the weary disaffection of people simply marking time.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
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Other bands, such as Arcade Fire and the Postal Service, were turning away from the disaffection that characterized Gen X rock to express bighearted feelings in bespoke ways.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Jihaad Campbell played 92 percent of the defensive snaps in his NFL debut, finishing with a pass breakup and helping force a game-changing fumble.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Things took a turn when Gary recently went through a breakup and asked her to stay over for emotional support.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And Congress is unlikely to grant him new tariff powers after the courts just ruled that doing so unilaterally violated the separation of powers.—
Brett Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Some immigrants fear returning to their native countries due to violence and instability, while others face the risk of deportation and family separation.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Later level and Ankou rifts (secret battle stages) require adept knowledge of the game’s overlapping combat systems.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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In addition, Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) has a greater presence in Season 2, while Morticia’s mother, Grandmama Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley), shows up at Nevermore as a rift between her daughter and granddaughter develops.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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