Alienation - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT alienation /eɪliəˈneɪʃɪn/ /eɪliɛˈneɪʃən/ IPA guide

Other forms: alienations

An easy way to experience alienation from your nice-smelling friends is to go a month without bathing. Alienation is a state of being cut off or separate from a person or group of people.

The noun alienation describes the feeling that you're not part of a group. Your political views might cause you to feel a sense of alienation from the rest of your family, or your vegetarianism could result in alienation from your meat-eating friends. The Latin word for alien is alienus, "belonging to another." That idea of not belonging, or not fitting in, gave rise to the Latin verb alienare, "to estrange," which alienation comes from.

Definitions of alienation

noun the action of alienating; the action of causing to become unfriendly see moresee less type of: action something done (usually as opposed to something said)
noun separation resulting from hostility synonyms: estrangement see moresee less type of: isolation a state of separation between persons or groups
noun the feeling of being alienated from other people synonyms: disaffection, estrangement see moresee less types: isolation a feeling of being disliked and alone type of: dislike a feeling of aversion or antipathy
noun (law) the voluntary and absolute transfer of title and possession of real property from one person to another “the power of alienation is an essential ingredient of ownership” see moresee less type of: transfer, transference transferring ownership

Pronunciation US /eɪliəˈneɪʃɪn/ UK /eɪliɛˈneɪʃən/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘alienation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing alienation

Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom

In this work of nonfiction, Mitch Albom reconnects with a favorite college professor and learns valuable lessons in the last months of the elderly scholar's life.

Invisible Man Ralph Ellison

In Ralph Ellison's classic novel, a nameless narrator struggles with his sense of identity in a world that treats him like he is invisible.

"The Freedom Writers Diary" and "Strength, Courage, and Wisdom"

Edge: Level C, Volume 1, Unit 2, Cluster 3. Here are links to the other clusters within Unit 2: "La Vida Robot" and "Reading, Writing and... Recreation", "My Left Foot" and "Success Is a Mind-Set", "The Freedom Writers Diary" and "Strength, Courage, and Wisdom"

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