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: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted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
This detachment can alienate customers, particularly those struggling with technology or those in vulnerable communities, like the elderly or disabled.
—
Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Trump has won voters who once voted for FDR, and Democrats will anguish over how to get them back without alienating the other parts of their coalition, including women, young people and people of color.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Democrats' demands for ideological conformity alienate those who value personal and economic freedoms.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Republicans like Nikki Haley have warned the party's approach and language are alienating large blocs of voters.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alienate 
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Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Trump has won voters who once voted for FDR, and Democrats will anguish over how to get them back without alienating the other parts of their coalition, including women, young people and people of color.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Democrats' demands for ideological conformity alienate those who value personal and economic freedoms.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Republicans like Nikki Haley have warned the party's approach and language are alienating large blocs of voters.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alienate
Dictionary Entries Near alienate
Cite this Entry
“Alienate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alienate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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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