alienate
verb
alien·ate
| \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
, ˈāl-yə-\
, ˈāl-yə-\
alienated;
alienating
Definition of alienate
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: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted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
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Other Words from alienate
alienator
\ -ˌnā-tər
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for alienate
Synonyms
alien, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange, sour
Antonyms
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Examples of alienate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Gillibrand also was the first Senate Democrat to call for Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s resignation and says that alienated donors and some voters. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Sen. Gillibrand says she’s ending 2020 presidential bid," 28 Aug. 2019 But Gillibrand also was the first Senate Democrat to call for Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s resignation and says that alienated donors and some voters. — Will Weissert, BostonGlobe.com, "Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand drops out of 2020 presidential race," 28 Aug. 2019 But Gillibrand also was the first Senate Democrat to call for Minnesota Sen. Al Franken's resignation and says that alienated donors and some voters. — Will Weissert, Fortune, "Gillibrand Drops Out of 2020 Presidential Race," 28 Aug. 2019 The Democratic National Committee took a stance on climate change Thursday in San Francisco that could alienate young voters — a key group that Democrats need to be energized for the party to win back the White House. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: Friday Night Lights in Paradise," 23 Aug. 2019 What’s left is a demand for ideological purity and unflinching support of the president that alienates a majority of the American electorate. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Incredible Shrinking GOP," 5 Aug. 2019 And there are also, as D'Anastasio reports, some who think that Riot has gone too far and risks alienating its core fan base of young white men. Won't somebody think of the young white men? — Julie Muncy, WIRED, "2K Games Probed YouTuber Over Alleged Borderlands 3 Leaks," 9 Aug. 2019 Embracing public figures who helped cause those harms, without any gestures toward accountability, risks alienating those who have long supported climate action. — Dave Levitan, The New Republic, "Reformed Climate Deniers Don’t Deserve Redemption," 8 Aug. 2019 Allies have been left in the middle, even as they are alienated by a Trump administration that insults them and courts their rivals. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "U.S. allies risk becoming collateral damage in Iran fight," 12 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alienate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for alienate
alienate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of alienate
: to make (someone) unfriendly : to cause (someone) to stop being friendly, helpful, etc., towards you
: to cause (someone) to feel that she or he no longer belongs in a particular group, society, etc.
See the full definition for alienate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
alienate
verb
alien·ate
| \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
, ˈāl-yə-\
, ˈāl-yə-\
alienated;
alienating
Kids Definition of alienate
: 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.
alienate
transitive verb
alien·ate
| \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt, ˈāl-yə-
\
\
alienated;
alienating
Medical Definition of alienate
: to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed
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alienate
transitive verb
alien·ate
| \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌnāt
\
\
alienated;
alienating
Legal Definition of alienate
: 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)