estrange

[ ih-streynj ]

verb (used with object)

, es·tranged, es·trang·ing.

1. to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of:

   Their quarrel estranged the two friends.

2. to remove to or keep at a distance:

   The necessity for traveling on business has estranged him from his family.

3. to divert from the original use or possessor.

estrange

/ ɪˈstreɪndʒ /

verb

1. usually passiveoften foll byfrom to separate and live apart from (one's spouse)

   he is estranged from his wife

2. usually passiveoften foll byfrom to antagonize or lose the affection of (someone previously friendly); alienate

Derived Forms

• esˈtrangement, noun

Other Words From

• es·trange·ment noun
• es·trang·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of estrange¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French, Old French estranger; cognate with Portuguese estranhar, Spanish estrañar, Italian straniare, from Medieval Latin extrāneāre “to treat as a stranger,” derivative of Latin extrāneus “external, foreign, strange”; extraneous

Word History and Origins

Origin of estrange¹

C15: from Old French estranger, from Late Latin extrāneāre to treat as a stranger, from Latin extrāneus foreign; see strange

Synonym Study

Estrange, alienate, disaffect share the sense of causing (someone) to turn away from a previously held state of affection, comradeship, or allegiance. Estrange often implies replacement of love or belonging by apathy or hostility: erstwhile lovers estranged by a misunderstanding. Alienate often calls attention to the cause of antagonism or separation: His inconsiderate behavior alienated both friends and family. Disaffect usually refers to relationships involving allegiance or loyalty rather than love or affection: disaffected workers, demoralized by ill-considered management policies.

Example Sentences

I’m truly fearful he’ll get the idea that you estrange from a family member as easily as you throw away a napkin.

From Washington Post

This means that almost 70 million people in the United States report being estranged from a family member.

From No Straight News

Spears has been under this arrangement since early 2008, when — in the wake of a highly publicized stretch of erratic behavior and two involuntary psychiatric holds — her then-estranged father was named co-conservator, alongside a lawyer.

From Washington Post

This, combined with the Lucas’ impending reunion with long-estranged family members who are coming to see her perform, provides just enough drama to give the movie a touch of narrative.

From Washington Blade

Even if his siblings, back home and estranged from their father, sometimes looked at his relationship with envy, Tyler describes a dynamic that could hardly be considered paternal.

From Washington Post

Numerous reasons, of which I guess part, perhaps estrange you from it, and perhaps also the book does not please you.

From Project Gutenberg

Men knew not even whether it were round or flat; and the unplumbed sea could still estrange.

From Project Gutenberg

All that Murray's policy seemed to have really done was to estrange from her the English Catholics.

From Project Gutenberg

She flashed at him indignantly, "You wish to estrange me from my family, from my sister Caroline."

From Project Gutenberg

Because, miserable slave, you cherish the mad hope of beguiling me yourself, you do your utmost to estrange me from your master.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alienate
• divorce