What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unbelonging
Example
She felt a sense of unbelonging at the party, as she didn't know anyone there. [unbelonging: noun]
Example
He experienced unbelonging in his new school, as he was the only student from a different country. [unbelonging: gerund or present participle]
alienation
Example
The novel explores the theme of alienation in modern society. [alienation: noun]
Example
She felt alienated from her family after coming out as gay. [alienated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alienation is more commonly used than unbelonging in everyday language. Alienation is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while unbelonging is less common and may be considered a less formal word.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unbelonging and alienation?
Alienation is a more formal word than unbelonging, and it is often used in academic or professional contexts to describe social or psychological phenomena.
