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
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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.
Estranged fathers have reappeared laying claim to part of the proceeds, according to court statements reviewed by the Journal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025
Estranged from his wife, he moved to Monte Carlo and died aged 29.
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025
Estranged from her immigrant Chinese parents in Florida, Lily falls in love with a mysterious white man, Matthew, who is living under an assumed name.
From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024
Estranged from their communities, the two embody a different kind of relationship, and McKenzie doesn’t rely on the usual uplifting messaging and strained empowerment arc to humanize An and Star.
From New York Times • May 4, 2023
Estranged, disarranged, we spend our darkest hours staring at those pearls, those coral bones.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
