What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alienated
Example
After the argument, she felt alienated from her friends. [alienated: adjective]
Example
He alienated himself from his colleagues by refusing to work with them. [alienated: verb]
indifferent
Example
She was indifferent to the outcome of the game. [indifferent: adjective]
Example
He remained indifferent to her pleas for help. [indifferent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indifferent is more commonly used than alienated in everyday language. Indifferent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while alienated is less common and often used in specific situations where someone feels disconnected or estranged from others.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alienated and indifferent?
Both alienated and indifferent can be used in formal and informal contexts, but alienated may be more formal due to its less common usage and negative connotation.