: 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)
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
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Revered creators are often consistently curious, open to new technologies, and willing to risk alienating their fans.—👁 Image Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2026 It’s been claimed that in the 1930s Hollywood’s Jewish moguls put profits above alienating Adolf Hitler, Germany’s notoriously antisemitic Fuhrer, with anti-Nazi movies.—👁 Image Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 Her values—including her severe rigidity about gender roles—alienate her from her only child and set her up for inevitable disappointment.—👁 Image Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026 Many luxury players have seen their business suffer over the past few years, following a boom in demand during Covid-19, which led to price hikes that alienated customers.—👁 Image Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 2 Apr. 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
