ESTRANGE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'estrange' contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and disaffect are common synonyms of estrange . While all three words 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

Q: When could 'alienate' be used to replace 'estrange'?

The words alienate and estrange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest. // managed to alienate all his coworkers

Q: When would 'disaffect' be a good substitute for 'estrange'?

The words disaffect and estrange can be used in similar contexts, but 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

estrange

verb

i-ˈstrānj

Definition of estrange

as in to infuriate

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring she estranged several of her coworkers when she let her promotion go to her head

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb estrange contrast with its synonyms?

The words alienate and disaffect are common synonyms of estrange. While all three words 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

When could alienate be used to replace estrange?

The words alienate and estrange are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alienate may or may not suggest separation but always implies loss of affection or interest.

managed to alienate all his coworkers

When would disaffect be a good substitute for estrange?

The words disaffect and estrange can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 estrange Elias is the Clarke siblings’ estranged father and co-founder of the family rodeo with his late wife. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 The prince and his wife have been estranged from the royal family but are now returning to England with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026 And with her, there’s also the matter of her parents, especially her mother, who Hayden was estranged from at the time of her death. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2026 He was estranged from ESPN until 1999 when the network brought him back for its 20th anniversary. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estrange

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrange

Verb

The White House’s abrupt decision last week to ease tariffs on 300,000 metric tons — more than 660 million pounds — of foreign beef imports has infuriated American cattle ranchers and congressional Republicans alike.

— Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The heated rhetoric has infuriated and astonished most Canadians; in a recent poll, seventy-six per cent supported the decision of the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to walk away from trade talks with Washington.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

The costume misstep happened as Target’s sales have started rebounding from earlier company moves that alienated some customers and from a perception the quality of its stores and merchandise had declined.

— Nancy Jiang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
By demeaning and alienating most people, Capps predicted, the Christian right wing was planting the seeds of its own demise.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of alienate

Verb

That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.

— Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

The hiring of the Catalan content creator, however, has only served to enrage the public, rather than enticing them to watch the race.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

The victim's wife, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Marlene, and did not want her face shown, said she was outraged by what happened.

— Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
In Miami, Mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled and overwhelmingly voted out of office in 2011 due to outrage over his public funding of a controversial new Marlins stadium.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

Verb

The usually cordial relationship between Washington and Ottawa has soured considerably in recent weeks, with trade talks derailed and the neighbors now levying multi-billion-dollar tariffs against one another.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Advertisement Perhaps the biggest reason the vibes around OpenAI and its CEO have soured is an erosion of public trust.

— Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sour

Verb

Across the Sahel region, a vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert, militaries that grabbed power citing security failures have severed ties with longtime Western security allies and turned to Russia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors have long suspected Burke used a chainsaw to sever Hernandez’s limbs in his garage last April and tried to collect the blood in a kiddie pool.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sever

Browse Nearby Words

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estrange

estranged

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“Estrange.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estrange. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of estrange

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