estrangement

American

[ih-streynj-muhnt] / ɪˈstreɪndʒ mənt /

noun

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.
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.

Other Word Forms

self-estrangement noun

Etymology

Origin of estrangement

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

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.

A researcher in family estrangement for more than 10 years, psychologist Dr Lucy Blake said there is no data to indicate estrangement is rising, but there has been a huge shift in dialogue.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

And if your therapist is encouraging the estrangement, do some independent reflection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

What else should you do to avoid an estrangement with a parent?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Whatever the cause of their estrangement, the two rarely saw each other.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023