estrangement

American  

[ih-streynj-muhnt] / ɪˈstreɪndʒ mənt /

noun

1. the state of being alienated or separated in feeling or affection; a state of hostility or unfriendliness.

   Since the summer there’s been a rift in the family over something that my daughter posted online, and I still can't figure out how this estrangement occurred over something so silly.

   Diplomatic relations between the two nations were officially restored after more than five decades of estrangement.

2. the state of being separated or removed.

   After years of forced estrangement, the families of people living in the vast refugee camp are finally beginning to get some news of their relatives there.

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Other Word Forms

• self-estrangement
  noun

Etymology

Origin of estrangement

estrange ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )

Explanation

Estrangement is the feeling that you don't belong, especially when you're surrounded by other people. If you've ever had to sit by yourself in a school cafeteria, you know what estrangement feels like. Right in the middle of the word estrangement is strange, and it provides a great clue about how to use the word. Estrangement happens when something — or someone — makes you feel like a stranger. It can describe a couple that's split up or the alienation of a former friend. The meaning hasn't changed much from its Latin root, extraneare, "treat as a stranger."

Example Sentences

But the conflict hardened political and diplomatic estrangement, leaving little space even for limited normalisation.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

It turns out that Artie’s estrangement from his family is grounded in concrete circumstances: Both Evie and Rob have been keeping a weighty secret from him, one that Rob will eventually disclose.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Questions are also already being asked about how Duff’s separation from her partner might impact her estrangement from her sister, Hilary.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Pope Francis negotiated a resumption of diplomatic relations with Washington under president Barack Obama in 2015, after decades of Cold War estrangement.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

It is plain indeed that in spite of later estrangement Hobbits are relatives of ours: far nearer to us than Elves, or even than Dwarves.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• alienation
• disaffection
• disunity
• hostility
• schism
• separation