alienation
noun
alien·ation
ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən 
ˌāl-yə-
1
: a withdrawing or separation of a person or a person's affections from an object or position of former attachment : estrangement
alienation … from the values of one's society and family—
S. L. Halleck
S. L. Halleck2
: a conveyance of property to another
Examples of alienation in a Sentence
after years of alienation from her family, she became reconciled with them when her father fell ill
Recent Examples on the Web
Limited social mobility leads to alienation of the disenfranchised, and ossification.
—Suwanna Gauntlett, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The alienation of children from the values and traditions of their parents is a central subject of modern Yiddish literature—most famously in Sholem Aleichem’s stories about the dairyman Tevye and his daughters.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Moore has also spoken to more than 100 children with parents who committed murder—her way of lending support to those likely struggling with feelings of fear, shame, and alienation over their parents’ crimes.
—Jp Mangalindan, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
The security summit in Europe comes as concerns have risen regarding President Donald Trump's alienation of European allies because of rising tensions with Ukraine over peace negotiations with Russia.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alienation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Suwanna Gauntlett, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The alienation of children from the values and traditions of their parents is a central subject of modern Yiddish literature—most famously in Sholem Aleichem’s stories about the dairyman Tevye and his daughters.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Moore has also spoken to more than 100 children with parents who committed murder—her way of lending support to those likely struggling with feelings of fear, shame, and alienation over their parents’ crimes.
—Jp Mangalindan, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
The security summit in Europe comes as concerns have risen regarding President Donald Trump's alienation of European allies because of rising tensions with Ukraine over peace negotiations with Russia.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alienation
Cite this Entry
“Alienation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alienation. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alienation
noun
alien·ation
ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən
ˌāl-yə-ˈnā-
1
: a withdrawing or separation of a person or a person's affection from an object of past attachment
2
: a transfer of property to another
Medical Definition
alienation
noun
alien·ation
ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən, ˌāl-yə-
: a withdrawing or separation of a person or a person's affections from an object or position of former attachment
alienation … from the values of one's society and family—S. L. Halleck
S. L. HalleckLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share