ALIENATE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

alienate

verb

ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt

Definition of alienate

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

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

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

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 alienate Wright said Rogers’ decision to invoke terrorism during the debate could also alienate voters who prefer a more measured approach. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 However, its premise also illustrates the very ideological hypocrisy that has alienated much of the public from the press. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Artists playing into their politics isn’t without risk, as many steer clear to avoid alienating fans or getting embroiled in controversy. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Mainstream political parties previously avoided publicly advocating for a return to the European Union out of concern over alienating voters in pro Brexit regions and exacerbating societal polarization. — CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate

Verb

Trip isn’t the standout role, but Keery handles the character’s exasperated monologues with panache, turning self-defense and infuriated straight-talk into acts of exhilarating sanity.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Cummings said that in January 2021, a friend of Birchmore’s called Stoughton police and told a dispatcher about the illicit relationship, infuriating Farwell.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

The Democrats were ceding ground on immigration and deeply divided on Israel’s war in Gaza.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
But, for now, the race that will be watched is whether California may cede its status as the top location for Hollywood projects.

— Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

No commercial goods have entered the Gaza Strip for two days, Israeli authorities said Thursday, blaming the suspension on merchants angered by taxes imposed by the militant group Hamas — a claim that Palestinian importers deny.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The dispute over the report, which tackled an issue close to Weiss, forced CBS News to delay promotion of the episode and angered Stahl, who felt compelled to defend her reporting at a late stage of production.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

On the microphone, his promos conveyed a no-nonsense intensity that equally gripped viewers.

— Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Whether that’s a silk cami, a corset, or even a tube top, the pairing conveys a cool-girl vibe perfect for date night or dinner with friends.

— Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of convey

Verb

My mom’s family has been estranged my whole life and generations back before that.

— Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
The mother and son had been estranged for years, and Collin eventually moved in with his father, Jon, after his parents’ 2009 divorce.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of estrange

Verb

She was only forced to relinquish the title when she was drafted to the Raw brand.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Moon, meanwhile, is struggling at school but on the precipice of adulthood; as the young woman begins to make her own decisions in life, Yue must relinquish a degree of maternal responsibility.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Browse Nearby Words

alien

alienate

alienated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of alienate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes