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
The new student felt alienated from the rest of the class. [alienated: verb]
isolated
Example
The cabin was isolated from the rest of the town. [isolated: adjective]
Example
He isolated himself from his family after the divorce. [isolated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Isolated is more commonly used than alienated in everyday language. Isolated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while alienated is less common and refers to a specific type of disconnection.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alienated and isolated?
Both alienated and isolated are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional contexts. However, alienated may be more commonly used in psychology or sociology fields, while isolated may be more commonly used in geography or environmental science fields.