Estrange: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：make distant (estrange)

estrange 🔊

/ɪˈstreɪndʒ/

vt.

To make people who were once close feel distant from each other, like strangers.

Estrange scene showing emotional distance on a park bench

make distant 🔊

➕

/meɪk ˈdɪstənt/

vt.

To cause someone who was once close, such as a family member or friend, to become emotionally distant or hostile.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'estrangier', from Latin 'extraneus' meaning 'foreign'. Prefix 'ex-' (out) + root 'stranger'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'E' (ex-) + 'strange' → make someone feel strange and distant, as if they are a stranger.

📖 Example

The long disagreement over money slowly estranged the two brothers. 🔊 The prolonged conflict about finances gradually made the two brothers feel distant from each other.

🔗 Collocations

estrange from – to cause a separation or emotional distance from someone or something

become estranged – to grow apart emotionally, often leading to a breakdown in relationship

feel estranged – to experience a sense of emotional distance or disconnection

🔄 Synonyms

alienate (vt.) – to cause someone to become unfriendly or indifferent

disaffect (vt.) – to cause someone to lose affection or loyalty

separate (vt.) – to cause people or things to be apart from each other

🚫 Antonyms

reconcile (vt.) – to restore friendly relations between people

unite (vt.) – to bring together in harmony or agreement

bring together (phr. v.) – to cause people to be close or harmonious

🌱 Derivatives

estranged (adj.) – no longer close or affectionate; alienated

estrangement (n.) – the state of being estranged or alienated

estranging (adj.) – causing or tending to cause estrangement

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'extraneus' (foreign). In medieval legal English, it described alienating property or affection. Still used in family law and psychology contexts.