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

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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 In essence, Common Ground Society cultivates community, which can be a huge comfort to parents who feel ostracized and alienated from society because of burnout. — Matt Villano, Parents, 2 Aug. 2026 Trump pushed legal limits with boat strikes, alienating allies, but traffickers adapted. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 28 July 2026 The president and his advisers, the newspaper said, have concerns about expanding the conflict, depleting defense stockpiles, alienating Middle East Gulf allies and affecting energy supplies and the global economy. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 July 2026 Accusations of racial profiling have long plagued the department, alienating generations of Black and brown Angelenos. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate

Verb

But some one-time backers have been infuriated by his support last month for a law that would prevent the arrest of ultra-Orthodox Jews for avoiding the military draft.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
The trade infuriated fans and likely delighted the MLB executives and owners who are thirsty to implement a hard salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement.

— Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.

— James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The Russia sanctions bill merely marks the latest instance of the legislative branch ceding trade authority to the executive branch.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections in October after angering his fellow West Bank settlers by voting not to punish ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to serve in the military.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
The actor also objected to being a locker room scene that required full-frontal nudity, which allegedly angered Russell, TMZ reported.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Once that’s done, the gas will be conveyed to the Damietta processing facility on Egypt’s northern shore where it will be liquefied for transport by ship to Europe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Those are some of the striking examples of observational register, one that uses tactical distance, sound, slowness and associative montage to convey pain without resorting to the evidentiary shock of graphic imagery.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of convey

Verb

The defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers may have to relinquish their title to the surging Atlanta Braves.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The big headline coming out of Santa Clara was Kyle Shanahan’s July car accident and the resulting head injury that’s forced him to relinquish head coaching duties until he’s fully cleared from concussion symptoms.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

Those who’ve reported to ICE offices after receiving the notices have been outfitted with ankle monitors that allow authorities to track their location, Dorsainvil says, and many have been assigned court dates in about a month.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
In one case, several systems worked on a problem in parallel, one cheated outright, and the system assigned to summarize their work did not flag it.

— Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of assign

Browse Nearby Words

alien

alienate

alienated

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“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienate. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of alienate

verb

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