estrange

American  

[ih-streynj] / ɪˈstreɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

estranged, estranging

1. to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of.

   Their quarrel estranged the two friends.

2. to remove to or keep at a distance.

   The necessity for traveling on business has estranged him from his family.

3. to divert from the original use or possessor.

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estrange British  

/ ɪˈstreɪndʒ /

verb

1. to separate and live apart from (one's spouse)

   he is estranged from his wife

2. to antagonize or lose the affection of (someone previously friendly); alienate

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Related Words

Estrange, alienate, disaffect share the sense of causing (someone) to turn away from a previously held state of affection, comradeship, or allegiance. Estrange often implies replacement of love or belonging by apathy or hostility: erstwhile lovers estranged by a misunderstanding. Alienate often calls attention to the cause of antagonism or separation: His inconsiderate behavior alienated both friends and family. Disaffect usually refers to relationships involving allegiance or loyalty rather than love or affection: disaffected workers, demoralized by ill-considered management policies.

Other Word Forms

• estrangement noun
• estranger noun

Etymology

Origin of estrange

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French, Old French estranger; cognate with Portuguese estranhar, Spanish estrañar, Italian straniare, from Medieval Latin extrāneāre “to treat as a stranger,” derivative of Latin extrāneus “external, foreign, strange”; extraneous

Example Sentences

Daughters were less likely to be estranged from their mothers; Black adult children were less likely than their white peers to be estranged from their mothers, but more likely to be estranged from their fathers.

From MarketWatch

The Journal previously reported that the company’s estranged founder, Chip Wilson, had privately been taking steps to run a proxy fight, frustrated with Lululemon “losing its cool,” among other things.

From The Wall Street Journal

Don’t miss: ‘It’s heartbreaking’: My cousin died and her estranged husband has taken possession of her home.

From MarketWatch

However, the sale of their La Quinta dwelling marks the second sale of a shared home since that announcement was made—suggesting that the estranged husband and wife are getting their affairs in order.

From MarketWatch

At the time, she was still legally married, although she and her estranged husband were both in separate relationships.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• alienate
• divorce