estrange

[ ih-streynj ]

verb (used with object)

, es·tranged, es·trang·ing.

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.

estrange

/ ɪˈstreɪndʒ /

verb

1. usually passiveoften foll byfrom to separate and live apart from (one's spouse)

   he is estranged from his wife

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

Derived Forms

• esˈtrangement, noun

Other Words From

• es·trange·ment noun
• es·trang·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of estrange¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of estrange¹

C15: from Old French estranger, from Late Latin extrāneāre to treat as a stranger, from Latin extrāneus foreign; see strange

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Since a coup overthrew Mali’s government in 2020, the country has become estranged from its Western partners and has drawn closer to Russia.

From New York Times

Chinitz added that the reinstitution of fault-only grounds would "bog down" the already overwhelmed family court system as estranged couples air out their deeply personal grievances and spar over proving one party's wrongdoing.

From Salon

Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife.

From BBC

His transformation has cost him more than one friendship, he said, and he became estranged from a lifelong best friend he had gone to grade school with in Los Feliz.

From Los Angeles Times

The day after the incident on the 405, Young allegedly attacked his estranged wife, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alienate
• divorce