What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
estrange
Example
After the argument, he felt estranged from his best friend. [estrange: verb]
Example
The new city left her feeling estranged and alone. [estranged: adjective]
alienate
Example
His rude behavior alienated him from his coworkers. [alienate: verb]
Example
The new student felt alienated from the rest of the class. [alienated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alienate is more commonly used than estrange in everyday language. Alienate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while estrange is less common and refers to a more neutral sense of disconnection.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between estrange and alienate?
Both estrange and alienate are formal words and are typically used in more serious or professional contexts.
