estrange

verb

i-ˈstrānj How to pronounce estrange (audio)
Definition of estrangenext
as in to infuriate
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring she estranged several of her coworkers when she let her promotion go to her head

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estrange contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and disaffect are common synonyms of estrange. While all three words mean "to cause one to break a bond of affection or loyalty," estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.

his estranged wife

When could alienate be used to replace estrange?

The words alienate and estrange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When would disaffect be a good substitute for estrange?

The words disaffect and estrange can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 estrange Taking place in an alternate version of British history, a princess estranged from her family finds herself next in line for the throne. —Gretchen Hardin, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026 The Senate president and DeSantis are political allies while the House speaker is estranged after Andrade’s investigation into the Hope Florida saga and conflicts about how best to cut taxes. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026 Niko Alissandratos said in a phone interview Sunday that he had been estranged from his brother and other family members for some years and hadn’t intended to come to the reception. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026 This elopement would estrange Wright from several of his children for decades to come. —Carrie Hojnicki, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estrange
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrange
  1. infuriate
  2. alienate
  3. anger
  4. alien
  5. enrage
  6. outrage
  7. sour
  8. sever
Verb
  • Granular, often infuriating descriptions like that one are ultimately what make Hail Mary sing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Kline was frustrated and even infuriated by the military's past reluctance.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Allen is said to have reluctantly acquiesced to ARC’s demands and, in the process, alienated others.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The White House is telling Republicans to refine their immigration messaging as the party stares down the midterm elections, a tacit acknowledgement that its hardline rhetoric about mass deportation risks alienating voters.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of alienate
Verb
  • One of Best’s nieces, Tatiana Barrett, told The Associated Press that revelations from the report have angered and saddened family and friends.
    — Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
  • One of Best's nieces, Tatiana Barrett, told The Associated Press that revelations from the report have angered and saddened family and friends.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • The movies of 2026 have got it all, from iconic Disney toys and Steven Spielberg aliens to Ghostface and Baby Yoda.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Jan. 2026
  • At the beginning of the book, aliens implant images of tool-using into the minds of man-apes.
    — Larissa MacFarquhar, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of alien
Verb
  • The narrators seldom seem bitter; never enraged.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In the end, he was exonerated but Doc ultimately opted to partner with the hospital to the benefit of his patients, which enraged Hope, sending her into the hands of her ex Roland and setting up a potential love triangle that had been brewing all season.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • The reaction from Catholics around the world varied from disquiet to outrage.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The content outrages some people and delights others; publishing more of it advances the meta discourse that’s been layered on top of the actual news, drawing attention from the unfolding conflict itself.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of outrage
Verb
  • And as public opinion on both military action in Iran and the state of the economy continues to sour, a vote for more military spending might well overtax any remaining goodwill of voters and members of Congress alike.
    — Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Then, Smith and the Jets’ relationship soured for good when Smith suffered a broken jaw in a locker room altercation with teammate IK Enemkpali in August of 2015.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of sour
Verb
  • The White House has said the objectives of Operation Epic Fury have been to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capacity and its navy, sever its support for proxies in other countries and ensure Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Then make a 45-degree cut from the bed towards the first cut to form a trench that severs the root system of the nearby grass.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of sever

Browse Nearby Words

estivating
estrange
estranged
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Cite this Entry

“Estrange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrange. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on estrange

Nglish: Translation of estrange for Spanish Speakers

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