verb
alienate
AY-lee-uh-nayt
verb
1
To make someone feel isolated, unwelcome, or estranged.
"His constant criticism alienated most of his coworkers."
"The policy risks alienating younger voters."
2
(law) To transfer ownership of property to someone else.
"The trust forbade the heirs from alienating the family estate."
How to Use Alienate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo push someone away emotionally, or, in formal legal language, to give up ownership of property.
Common pairings
alienate voters
alienate friends
feel alienated
Word Forms
alienated past tense, alienates plural, alienates singular
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Etymology
From Latin alienatus, past participle of alienare ("to estrange"), from alienus ("belonging to another").