alienate

verb

alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce alienate (audio)
ˈāl-yə-
alienated; alienating
Synonyms of alienate

transitive verb

1
: to cause to be estranged : to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existed
He alienated most of his colleagues with his bad temper.
Her position on this issue has alienated many former supporters.
2
: to convey or transfer (something, such as property or a right) usually by a specific act (as a sale) rather than the due course of law (as by descent)
3
: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted
alienate capital from its natural channels
alienator
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce alienate (audio)
ˈāl-yə-
noun

Synonyms of alienate

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estrange, alienate, disaffect 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

alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

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

Examples of alienate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Through hidden fees and poor service, traditional banks have alienated many customers, while online banking and ATMs have eradicated differences between banks. — Jeffrey I. Cole, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026 Republicans, after making a concerted effort at outreach to Arab Americans in 2024, have used alienating rhetoric about the group throughout this election cycle. — Laura Beveridge, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 If Kushner’s goal was to fight antisemitism in France, immediately alienating the country’s leadership and a significant portion of French Jews didn’t seem like a particularly efficient way to go about it. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienate

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of alienate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for alienate

See All Rhymes for alienate

Browse Nearby Words

alienage
alienate
alienated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alienate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alienate

verb
alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce alienate (audio)
ˈāl-yə-ˌnāt
alienated; alienating
1
: to transfer (as a title, property, or right) to another
2
: to cause (one who used to be friendly or loyal) to become unfriendly or disloyal

Medical Definition

alienate

transitive verb
alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt, ˈāl-yə- How to pronounce alienate (audio)
alienated; alienating
: to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed

Legal Definition

alienate

transitive verb
alien·​ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce alienate (audio)
alienated; alienating
: to give away or sell (property or a property right) to another
will not sell, transfer, assign, hypothecate or otherwise alienate any of his voting shares—Strickland v. Rahaim, 549 So. 2d 58 (1989)
compare devise
alienation
ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən, ˌāl-yə- How to pronounce alienate (audio)
noun
Etymology

Latin alienare, from alienus not one's own

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