alienate
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- alien
- disaffect
- disgruntle
- estrange
- sour
Example Sentences
Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 While being too political could alienate Baby Boomers with considerable purchasing power. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 Roe v Wade could alienate young voters and cost the party seats in upcoming elections. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 June 16 – June 30th: Being judgmental will alienate someone who counts near the 18th, so try to lighten up. Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 16 June 2022 The series may alienate fans of the MCU who are used to svelte Avengers battling evil in billion-dollar productions. Lorraine Alitelevision Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Senators and aides said talks were helped by leaders in both parties, who gave rank-and-file lawmakers time to reach a deal, and a willingness to set aside policy positions that could alienate either side. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Hogan, a potential 2024 presidential contender, also warned Republicans against rallying behind a Trump ally in the next presidential election, arguing that would alienate many voters. Robert Costa, CBS News, 4 May 2022 Democrats have toiled to win his vote on any piece of their once-ambitious domestic agenda, tailoring their policy moves so as not to alienate him. New York Times, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
borrowed from Latin aliēnātus, past participle of aliēnāre "to transfer (goods, property) to another, lose possession of, render hostile, estrange," verbal derivative of aliēnus "not one's own, of others, foreign, strange" — more at alien entry 1
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
alienate
verb
Medical Definition
alienate
transitive verb
Legal Definition
alienate
transitive verb
Strickland v. Rahaim, 549 So. 2d 58 (1989)alienate
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- infuriate
- estrange
- anger
- enrage
- disaffect
- annoy
- sour
- alien
- outrage
- antagonize
- irritate
- disappoint
- sever
- disgruntle
- aggravate
- divide
- embitter
- rile
- bother
- inflame
- split
- rankle
- dissociate
- exasperate
- disunite
- disillusion
- enflame
- irk
- rile
- roil
- separate
- incense
- envenom
- sunder
- vex
- disenchant
- madden
- uncouple
- unyoke
- pique
- unlink
- peeve
- chafe
- nettle
- grate
- gall
- bug
- break up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reconcile
- placate
- appease
- endear
- ingratiate
- pacify
- disarm
- conciliate
- mollify
- propitiate
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cede
- relinquish
- bequeath
- convey
- assign
- transfer
- lend
- donate
- alien
- entrust
- will
- leave
- deed
- dispose of
- move
- contribute
- lease
- rent
- grant
- bestow
- make over
- trust
- loan
- present
- transmit
- surrender
- commend
- consign
- confer
- commit
- pass (down)
- yield
- hand down
- turn in
- let
- deliver
- pass
- vest
- release
- hand over
- intrust
- turn over
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expropriate
Synonym Chooser
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.
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.
Although the words estrange and alienate have much in common, estrange implies the development of indifference or hostility with consequent separation or divorcement.