alienate
verb
alien·ate
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 
ˈāl-yə-
alienated; alienating
1
: to cause to be estranged : to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existed
He alienated most of his colleagues with his bad temper.
Her position on this issue has alienated many former supporters.
2
: to convey or transfer (something, such as property or a right) usually by a specific act rather than the due course of law
3
: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted
alienate capital from its natural channels
Examples of alienate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many marketers fear trying things that might alienate traditional customers, but the old fans of Hostess Twinkies were already leaving.
—
Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Even the process of courting Moscow would be damaging because any favor the United States shows Russia alienates Europe.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Now the landscape around that issue has changed a bit, and some Democrats are questioning whether putting trans equality so close to the center of their priorities has alienated people, or has been a mistake.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Our European allies, whom the Trump regime seems determined to alienate, must necessarily fear sharing intelligence with a White House so reckless with legitimate secrets.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alienate
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Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Even the process of courting Moscow would be damaging because any favor the United States shows Russia alienates Europe.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Now the landscape around that issue has changed a bit, and some Democrats are questioning whether putting trans equality so close to the center of their priorities has alienated people, or has been a mistake.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Our European allies, whom the Trump regime seems determined to alienate, must necessarily fear sharing intelligence with a White House so reckless with legitimate secrets.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alienate
Cite this Entry
“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alienate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alienate
verb
alien·ate
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
ˈāl-yə-ˌnāt
alienated; alienating
1
: to transfer (as a title, property, or right) to another
2
: to cause (one who used to be friendly or loyal) to become unfriendly or disloyal
Medical Definition
alienate
transitive verb
alien·ate
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt, ˈāl-yə-
alienated; alienating
: to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed
Legal Definition
alienate
transitive verb
alien·ate
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
alienated; alienating
: to give away or sell (property or a property right) to another
will not sell, transfer, assign, hypothecate or otherwise alienate any of his voting shares—Strickland v. Rahaim, 549 So. 2d 58 (1989)
compare devise
Strickland v. Rahaim, 549 So. 2d 58 (1989)Etymology
Latin alienare, from alienus not one's own
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