estrangement

noun

Definition of estrangementnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 estrangement 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 Shuter’s report comes shortly after Harry gave his first comments about his estrangement from his brother, Prince William. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Oct. 2026 Prince Harry has made no secret of his desire to reconcile with his older brother, but those close to Prince William and Princess Kate say the wounds behind the estrangement remain deep. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026 Feel an estrangement like a ventriloquist’s hand in the dressing room after an intense set. — Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Musk has tied his own attitudes on transgender rights to his estrangement from one of his children, who is a transgender woman. — Lisa Hagen, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026 From this perspective, estrangement can affect more than two people. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
  1. alienation
  2. divorce
  3. schism
  4. disaffection
  5. breakup
  6. separation
  7. rift
Noun
  • On his latest, Young’s major-key meditations on love and alienation are as winsome as a bay breeze, if occasionally as insubstantial.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Western alienation and grievances against Ottawa date back decades, including to the administrations of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau's father, during the 1970s and 1980s.
    — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of alienation
Noun
  • Pratt and Faris married in 2009, announced their separation in 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
    — Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Habib points to divorce, ghosting, social media and Egypt’s changing class dynamics as part of a vastly different landscape for the new generation.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of divorce
Noun
  • The church has lost about a quarter of its churches in the schism.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
  • One schism Hagar would like to repair, of course, is with former bandmate Alex Van Halen.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, said France is suffering from a crisis of liberal democracy, a crisis of fiscal mismanagement, and a crisis of youth disaffection.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Older liberals see it as an expression of generational disaffection.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaffection
Noun
  • Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The incident demonstrated how quickly debris from a satellite breakup can disrupt operations in orbit.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • Wall Street has been enthusiastic about the separation, which is designed to unlock the value of each group of assets and is likely to generate M&A interest.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Layoffs will be spread throughout Comcast‘s connectivity and platforms unit, which is the company that will remain after the separation.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of separation
Noun
  • Barkley took aim at Rodgers' appearance on the Not Just Football podcast, where the quarterback focused heavily on his bitter family rift.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The disturbing allegations have created a rift across families.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rift

Browse Nearby Words

estranged
estrangement
estrangements
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Cite this Entry

“Estrangement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrangement. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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