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 protagonist in the novel experienced alienation from society due to his unconventional beliefs. [alienation: noun]
isolation
Example
The astronaut spent months in isolation on the space station. [isolation: noun]
Example
The patient was placed in isolation to prevent the spread of the contagious disease. [isolation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Isolation is more commonly used than alienation in everyday language. Isolation is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, from physical separation to emotional detachment. In contrast, alienation is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts, such as social or political commentary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alienation and isolation?
Both alienation and isolation are formal words that are often used in academic or professional contexts, such as psychology, sociology, or literature. However, alienation may be perceived as more academic or intellectual, while isolation is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
