estranged
Americanadjective
-
displaying or evincing a feeling of alienation; alienated.
The setting denotes the estranged environment in which the protagonists saw themselves when fighting for recognition.
-
no longer in a friendly or affectionate relationship with a family member or friend, and typically living apart.
His estranged wife is living only 10 miles away.
adjective
-
separated and living apart from one's spouse
-
no longer friendly; alienated
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of estranged
Explanation
The adjective estranged suggests a loss of affection, a turning away from someone. When a couple separates, we often refer to them as estranged — or no longer together. The word estranged is an unfriendly word with a negative connotation. The word strange within it seems to suggest an alienation of affection, and that a loving relationship has not only soured, but turned distant and even somewhat hostile. While the word is usually used to describe a human relationship, it can also refer to a political situation where nations that were once allies develop conflicts and become estranged.
Vocabulary lists containing estranged
Dissed List: Breakup Words for Valentine's Day
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Into the Wild
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The Crossover
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Psychiatrists and people close to Clancy, as well as her estranged husband, described her distress during the five-week trial.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
In 2021, Meghan won a High Court ruling against the Mail on Sunday after the paper published excerpts from a private letter she had written to her estranged father in 2019.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
But I also believe parents shouldn’t give their estranged children the power to negatively control their emotions or lives.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
“Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love,” she said in a statement to “Entertainment Tonight.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
As in: Alexis’s mom and dad are estranged.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
