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: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted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
Smarter pricing decisions, such as prioritizing high-demand products while adjusting prices for less critical SKUs, can stabilize revenues without alienating customers.
—
Joshua Bardell, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
This is also the episode where Samantha covets a Birkin and ends up alienating Lucy Liu in the process, which is an equally memorable, if less emotional, plot point.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 30 May 2025
Though Yoon eventually left the PPP voluntarily, Kim’s campaign has continued to walk a tightrope in distancing itself from the impeached former president without alienating Yoon’s supporters.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
In short order, Craig alienates, then begins to stalk Austin, an arc that is recreated with graver stakes when Tammy runs away and is pursued by Craig (and the police, and a team of volunteers) as a missing person.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025
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Joshua Bardell, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
This is also the episode where Samantha covets a Birkin and ends up alienating Lucy Liu in the process, which is an equally memorable, if less emotional, plot point.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 30 May 2025
Though Yoon eventually left the PPP voluntarily, Kim’s campaign has continued to walk a tightrope in distancing itself from the impeached former president without alienating Yoon’s supporters.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
In short order, Craig alienates, then begins to stalk Austin, an arc that is recreated with graver stakes when Tammy runs away and is pursued by Craig (and the police, and a team of volunteers) as a missing person.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 May 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 6 Jun. 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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