ESTRANGEMENT Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

estrangement

noun

Definition of estrangement

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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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 estrangement But whether the cousins will spend more time together remains unclear amid the ongoing estrangement between Harry and William. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 This is also considered unlikely, due to Harry and Prince William’s estrangement. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 20 Aug. 2026 In May, ahead of the publication of Panettiere's book, Vogel addressed her estrangement from her daughter. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Fears of future economic and supply chain weaponization have fostered a growing estrangement between the two countries, feeding a broader hostility that empowers more aggressive voices on both sides of the Pacific. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 After years of acrimony, estrangement and speculation over whether Oasis could ever take the stage, Noel sees the reunion as an opportunity to reshape the band’s legacy. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026 Family estrangement has become a fixture of talk shows, advice columns and social media. — Rin Reczek, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 Yet perhaps my estrangement from the Spider-Man film series gives me a certain valuable perspective on the whole enterprise. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 Brielle, as well as Zolciak, 48, and sister Ariana, 24, have been candid about their estrangement from the former NFL star, 37, amid the couple’s divorce and custody battle over their four younger children. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement

Noun

Nor can it be secured through repression, which amplifies alienation, fuels anger, and breeds broader resentment toward the Pakistani state.

— Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
With its möbius-strip-esque structure, this surreal social class satire about grief, urban alienation and gentrification in the city of Lagos explores the lost hope of the Nigerian dream.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of alienation

Noun

World-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction, John Gottman has conducted 50 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples.

— Big Think, Big Think, 21 Aug. 2026
But narrowing down what is actually disrupting your sleep is a better starting point than assuming a sleep divorce is the only option.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of divorce

Noun

Yet since she was rescued in bad shape in mid-July and transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment, schisms have formed.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

In Mike Nichols’ 1967 comedy of disaffection, Hoffman originated the role that Rhys played onstage, so the snub was startling.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Certainly both sides do seem to be capitalizing on the same sense of disaffection with government.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disaffection

Noun

Zhou, a West Palm Beach Goldman Sachs analyst, would not leave his former girlfriend alone after their breakup.

— Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
The new study instead places particular emphasis on a continent-scale rift-flank escarpment formed during Rodinia’s breakup.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of breakup

Noun

This emotional rift is deeper than just the family’s disagreements about what to grow and how, encompassing the brutal history of genocide and displacement that is embedded deep in America’s agricultural history.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
The alleged rift between King Charles and Prince William continues to widen.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rift

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estranged

estrangement

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“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of estrangement

noun

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