alienation

noun

ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce alienation (audio)
Definition of alienationnext
as in estrangement
the loss of friendship or affection after years of alienation from her family, she became reconciled with them when her father fell ill

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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 alienation The small army at Kostabi World turned out images of featureless characters moving through strange, otherworldly scenes, caught between intimacy, alienation, and the discomfort of contemporary life. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 You’re meant to be feeling some amount of alienation right now. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 In a rare occurrence, Bardot’s 80-minute AI drama that, according to the synopsis, examines contemporary alienation and numbness in today’s world of hyper-connectivity, is set for a spring 2027 release across 20 cities in Turkey via Baska Sinema. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Jane Austen had a special knack for writing about sisters, portraying all the affection, frustration, competition, and alienation that can exist among daughters with great sensitivity—and no small amount of humor—throughout her fiction. — Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alienation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alienation
estrangement
Noun
  • William has largely remained silent about the brothers' estrangement and has not publicly expressed a desire to repair their relationship.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • On his book tour, Collin also discussed his estrangement from most of his siblings and the negative effects of child fame on his life.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of estrangement

Browse Nearby Words

alienating
alienation
alienations
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Cite this Entry

“Alienation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alienation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alienation

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