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 Pitt declined to respond to news of Vivienne’s legal move, but sources close to him have previously claimed that Jolie worked to alienate his children from him. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 When his first show, Politically Incorrect, debuted in 1993, executives warned that a host who revealed his political opinions would alienate half the country. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026 She was promptly alienated by both the receptionist and the doctor and placed in what appeared to be a dirty linen closet instead of an examination room. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 Musk has his own army of devout followers, too, but the difference is that Musk is constantly miserable, alienating even some of his own followers with his extreme takes. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienate

Verb

Sami Zayn, who had recently lost the title, was visibly infuriated by Owens' unexpected return and victory, even injuring Owens' neck during the intense bout.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
That infuriated Angels fans, of course, since their team has baseball’s longest playoff drought — 12 years, counting this one.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

Furthermore, Ashcraft has allowed home runs in four of his last five starts, ceding two, two and three homers in three of those starts.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Even just the paper the texts were written on was unbelievably rare, but with time, shock ceded to reverence, then practicality.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Definition of cede

Verb

The receptionist angers Kripke and Bert so much that they are picked up by the police — along with Stuart, who had also been arrested.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 July 2026
The strategy has also angered China, which has demanded that Manila rein in the Coast Guard spokesman who leads it.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Nolan understands how to make popular entertainment that can appeal to and convey its ideas to millions and millions of people.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Set in the 1980s during the NASA space shuttle program, this suspenseful novel reveals the complexity behind every expedition, following the relationships and obstacles while conveying a love of exploring the unknown.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

Definition of convey

Verb

Going down the cap-room road, however, would require Atlanta to relinquish Dort, CJ McCollum and Jock Landale after the season.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 July 2026
In 2021, the unnamed collector who bought them voluntarily relinquished for repatriation nearly three dozen Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities purchased from Latchford between 2003 and 2007.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

Fauci pleaded the Fifth a number of times, which appears to have enraged a lot of people.

— Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
The only reliable way to reach mainstream or even moderate recognition against all the noise is to either carpet-bomb social media with clips or to enrage wide swaths of the public.

— Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

Reserving Gerans for long-range strike missions while assigning lower-priority tasks to the less expensive Gerbera would help preserve Russia's inventory of its more capable drone.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
He will be assigned to the Royals’ Class A affiliate in Columbia.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of alienate

verb

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