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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Recent Examples of estrangement
Advertisement Since the 2025 war, broader regional developments have deepened the estrangement.
—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
26 June 2026
Amid the longstanding estrangement, the Duke of Sussex has had only fleeting physical contact with his father (two brief meetings over tea) while Meghan has not been in the same room as any members of the royal family since 2022.
—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
The former aide worked for the brothers from 2005 to 2013, before their estrangement.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
And yet the oddity of the term Earthlings as a mechanism of cognitive estrangement is that, actually, nothing could be less odd.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Just ask Boy Meets World stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle, who recently addressed their estrangement from longtime friend and former costar Ben Savage.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
The estrangement between the children of former couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their father continues.
—
Alessia Ferri,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Brandon Aiyuk’s recent emergence on social media now includes his bluntest message yet about a mysterious estrangement with the 49ers.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Tuesday’s pillhead big sister Sara (Olivia Rose Keegan) and the latter’s boyfriend Jack (Cameron Scott Roberts) call on Cindy after a lengthy estrangement to ask for her help in killing Ghostface.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
26 June 2026
Amid the longstanding estrangement, the Duke of Sussex has had only fleeting physical contact with his father (two brief meetings over tea) while Meghan has not been in the same room as any members of the royal family since 2022.
—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
The former aide worked for the brothers from 2005 to 2013, before their estrangement.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
And yet the oddity of the term Earthlings as a mechanism of cognitive estrangement is that, actually, nothing could be less odd.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Just ask Boy Meets World stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle, who recently addressed their estrangement from longtime friend and former costar Ben Savage.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
The estrangement between the children of former couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their father continues.
—
Alessia Ferri,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Brandon Aiyuk’s recent emergence on social media now includes his bluntest message yet about a mysterious estrangement with the 49ers.
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Tuesday’s pillhead big sister Sara (Olivia Rose Keegan) and the latter’s boyfriend Jack (Cameron Scott Roberts) call on Cindy after a lengthy estrangement to ask for her help in killing Ghostface.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
Noun
-
This book about a couple in complex crisis creates a sense of political alienation that The Drama frankly dances around.
-
Much like their 1990s grunge and alt-rock contemporaries in America, Canada’s Our Lady Peace were writing and recording murky, sorrowful songs about youthful frustration and adult rage, love lost and societal alienation.
Noun
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Pitt and Jolie would eventually split as well in 2016 and finalize a tumultuous divorce in 2024.
-
Following their split in 2021, the couple's divorce was finalized in 2022.
Noun
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The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining bishops without church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.
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Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.
Noun
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Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.
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Showing the disaffection for politics and partisanship in this modern era, each of the last five midterm elections have seen presidents with ratings below 50%.
Noun
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The 45-second clip features Oasis’ rowdy crowds and hints at rehearsal footage as Noel and Liam Gallagher talk about their reunion years after Oasis’ acrimonious breakup.
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The track is about cautiously opening yourself up to a new relationship after a painful breakup, finding comfort in someone who appreciates the very qualities a former partner criticized.
Noun
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If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
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The floorplan is arranged with a clear separation between the living areas and private sleeping quarters of the home.
Noun
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The fallout from Batula and Wilson’s relationship caused some rifts in the friend group, and their exits were not entirely surprising.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Cite this Entry
“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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