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alienate

Syllabification: (al·ien·ate)

Definition of alienate

[with object]

1cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged:an urban environment that would alienate its inhabitants (as adjective alienated)an alienated angst-ridden 22-year-old
cause (someone) to become unsympathetic or hostile:the association does not wish to alienate its members

Phrases

alienate someone's affections: Law induce someone to transfer their affection from a person (such as a spouse) with legal rights or claims on them.

early 16th century: from Latin alienat- 'estranged', from the verb alienare, from alienus 'of another' (see alien)

Definition of alienate in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words