What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alienation
Example
The new employee felt a sense of alienation from the rest of the team. [alienation: noun]
Example
The political climate has led to an increasing sense of alienation among certain groups. [alienation: noun]
estrangement
Example
The siblings experienced a period of estrangement after a disagreement over their inheritance. [estrangement: noun]
Example
The company's recent changes have led to an increasing sense of estrangement among its employees. [estrangement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alienation and estrangement are both less common words in everyday language, and may be more likely to appear in academic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alienation and estrangement?
Both alienation and estrangement are formal words, and may be more appropriate in written or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
