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Estranging
3 dictionary results for: Estranging
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
es·trange       [i-streynj] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -tranged, -trang·ing.
1.to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of: Their quarrel estranged the two friends.
2.to remove to or keep at a distance: The necessity for traveling on business has estranged him from his family.
3.to divert from the original use or possessor.
[Origin: 1475–85; < MF, OF estranger; c. Pg estranhar, Sp estrañar, It straniare < ML exstrāneāre to treat as a stranger. See strange]

—Related forms
es·trange·ment, noun
es·trang·er, noun

—Synonyms Estrange, alienate, disaffect share the sense of causing (someone) to turn away from a previously held state of affection, comradeship, or allegiance. Estrange often implies replacement of love or belonging by apathy or hostility: erstwhile lovers estranged by a misunderstanding. Alienate often calls attention to the cause of antagonism or separation: His inconsiderate behavior alienated both friends and family. Disaffect usually refers to relationships involving allegiance or loyalty rather than love or affection: disaffected workers, demoralized by ill-considered management policies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
es·trange       (ĭ-strānj')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   es·tranged, es·trang·ing, es·trang·es
  1. To make hostile, unsympathetic, or indifferent; alienate.
  2. To remove from an accustomed place or set of associations.


[Middle English estraungen, from Old French estrangier, from Latin extrāneāre, to treat as a stranger, disown, from extrāneus, foreign; see strange.]

es·trange'ment n., es·trang'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs refer to disruption of a bond of love, friendship, or loyalty. Estrange and alienate are often used with reference to two persons whose harmonious relationship has been replaced by hostility or indifference: Political disagreements led to quarrels that finally estranged the two friends. His persistent antagonism alienated his wife.
Disaffect usually implies discontent, ill will, and disloyalty within the membership of a group: Colonists were disaffected by the royal governor's actions.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
estranging

adjective
making one feel out of place or alienated; "the landscape was estranging" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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