alienate
verb
alien·ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt 
ˈāl-yə-
alienated; alienating
transitive verb
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: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted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
alienator
ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnā-tər
noun ˈāl-yə-
Synonyms
- alien
- disaffect
- disgruntle
- estrange
- sour
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some CFOs who set up meetings with board members may alienate CEOs who see this as going over their head. 
Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 While being too political could alienate Baby Boomers with considerable purchasing power. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 Roe v Wade could alienate young voters and cost the party seats in upcoming elections. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 June 16 – June 30th: Being judgmental will alienate someone who counts near the 18th, so try to lighten up. Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 16 June 2022 The series may alienate fans of the MCU who are used to svelte Avengers battling evil in billion-dollar productions. Lorraine Alitelevision Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Senators and aides said talks were helped by leaders in both parties, who gave rank-and-file lawmakers time to reach a deal, and a willingness to set aside policy positions that could alienate either side. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Hogan, a potential 2024 presidential contender, also warned Republicans against rallying behind a Trump ally in the next presidential election, arguing that would alienate many voters. Robert Costa, CBS News, 4 May 2022 Democrats have toiled to win his vote on any piece of their once-ambitious domestic agenda, tailoring their policy moves so as not to alienate him. New York Times, 15 July 2022 See More
Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 While being too political could alienate Baby Boomers with considerable purchasing power. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 Roe v Wade could alienate young voters and cost the party seats in upcoming elections. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 June 16 – June 30th: Being judgmental will alienate someone who counts near the 18th, so try to lighten up. Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 16 June 2022 The series may alienate fans of the MCU who are used to svelte Avengers battling evil in billion-dollar productions. Lorraine Alitelevision Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Senators and aides said talks were helped by leaders in both parties, who gave rank-and-file lawmakers time to reach a deal, and a willingness to set aside policy positions that could alienate either side. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Hogan, a potential 2024 presidential contender, also warned Republicans against rallying behind a Trump ally in the next presidential election, arguing that would alienate many voters. Robert Costa, CBS News, 4 May 2022 Democrats have toiled to win his vote on any piece of their once-ambitious domestic agenda, tailoring their policy moves so as not to alienate him. New York Times, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin aliēnātus, past participle of aliēnāre "to transfer (goods, property) to another, lose possession of, render hostile, estrange," verbal derivative of aliēnus "not one's own, of others, foreign, strange" — more at alien entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
alienate
verb
alien·ate ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
ˈāl-yə-
alienated; alienating
: to cause (a person who used to be friendly or loyal) to become unfriendly or disloyal She alienated most of her friends with her bad temper.
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)alienates
verb
1
as in angers
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring her changed position on the issue surprised and alienated many of her supporters Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- angers
- infuriates
- enrages
- estranges
- sours
- annoys
- outrages
- antagonizes
- aliens
- irritates
- disappoints
- severs
- divides
- aggravates
- embitters
- bothers
- riles
- disaffects
- inflames
- disgruntles
- rankles
- exasperates
- splits
- separates
- dissociates
- maddens
- irks
- roils
- riles
- disillusions
- enflames
- sunders
- incenses
- vexes
- disenchants
- envenoms
- uncouples
- unlinks
- disunites
- chafes
- piques
- grates
- peeves
- bugs
- unyokes
- nettles
- galls
- breaks up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reconciles
- endears
- appeases
- disarms
- ingratiates
- placates
- pacifies
- mollifies
- propitiates
- conciliates
2
as in cedes
to give over the legal possession or ownership of landowners have a right to alienate their right of ownership—in other words, they can sell the land if they want to Synonyms & Similar Words
- cedes
- assigns
- conveys
- bequeaths
- relinquishes
- transfers
- lends
- donates
- leaves
- entrusts
- contributes
- aliens
- deeds
- rents
- disposes of
- grants
- bestows
- moves
- loans
- commends
- transmits
- leases
- consigns
- surrenders
- confers
- presents
- makes over
- commits
- trusts
- hands down
- yields
- wills
- delivers
- passes
- turns in
- passes (down)
- vests
- releases
- intrusts
- lets
- turns over
- hands over
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expropriates