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 Her parents divorced shortly before her second birthday, marking the beginning of her long estrangement from her father. — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 The decision ultimately marked the beginning of their estrangement. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 The decision marked the beginning of their estrangement — something Vogel believed would only be temporary. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Pop psychology these days is seeking to understand family estrangement, which is framed as a problem on the rise. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 This is also considered unlikely, due to Harry and Prince William’s estrangement. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 20 Aug. 2026 Kody’s estrangement from his children played a large factor in Janelle’s split from the polygamist. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 Fears of future economic and supply chain weaponization have fostered a growing estrangement between the two countries, feeding a broader hostility that empowers more aggressive voices on both sides of the Pacific. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 After years of acrimony, estrangement and speculation over whether Oasis could ever take the stage, Noel sees the reunion as an opportunity to reshape the band’s legacy. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estrangement
  1. alienation
  2. divorce
  3. schism
  4. disaffection
  5. breakup
  6. separation
  7. rift
Noun
  • While snobbery and name-dropping dominate, Nora’s feeling of alienation is tempered by her crush on associate editor Thomas (Joshuah Melnick) who, though only slightly older, seems to know everything about piloting the scene.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • All three CEOs understood implicitly that prior alienation of primary points of customer contact are more destructive than any mere marketing campaign can fix.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of alienation
Noun
  • York had filed for divorce from his wife in May due to irreconcilable differences, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The photo was taken in 2023, before news of the couple's 2025 divorce.
    — Paris Close, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of divorce
Noun
  • Yet, a deep ideological schism remains over what victory for the Islamic Republic should look like.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • Their disaffection can create a culture of hopelessness and emotional stasis that lasts well past any economic recovery.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In Mike Nichols’ 1967 comedy of disaffection, Hoffman originated the role that Rhys played onstage, so the snub was startling.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaffection
Noun
  • Then there are the affair-and-breakup songs, tunes where someone is searching for something better, like young musicians heading west to get famous.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But a drumbeat of doubt began in Elwood’s head in 2010 on a tour of Sarajevo, where Bosnian-Serb forces had committed atrocities during the war that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • The burst and ability to create separation jumped out, as did his calm and composed finish, all at seemingly peak speed.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This direct separation reduces the total volume of fuel processing equipment by more than ninety percent, while significantly shrinking the amount of hazardous radioactive tritium that a plant must keep on site.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of separation
Noun
  • But whether the bitter rift with William and Catherine can be mended is another matter.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the war is deepening all these rifts and creating new ones.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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