estranged

adjective

es·​tranged i-ˈstrānjd How to pronounce estranged (audio)
Synonyms of estrangednext
: having lost former closeness and affection : in a state of alienation from a previous close or familial relationship
her estranged husband [=her husband with whom she no longer lives]
Social workers may try to resolve conflicts between estranged siblings.Jonathan D. Rockoff
He had taken out a life insurance policy on his estranged wife just weeks before her murder …David Fisher
… it's kind of shameful to admit your idea of unwinding in front of the TV is watching somebody's entire family get murdered by their greedy, estranged uncle.Lauren Zupkus

Examples of estranged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Taylor Armstrong's estranged ex-husband Russell Armstrong died by suicide at age 47 in August 2011. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 Allison Janney stars as a grieving widow who must plan her husband’s funeral with her estranged son’s assistant (Andrew Rannells). Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026 Searchlight is in development on Lottery, a Permut Presentations drama about a young man with Down syndrome who, after winning the lottery, flees his estranged mother and hits the road with a charming new friend who has ulterior motives of her own. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026 And for many estranged individuals, like me, our experience is far more nuanced than the current discourse might suggest. Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estranged

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of estranged was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Estranged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estranged. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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