estrange

/ɪˈstreɪndʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈstreɪndʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈstrānj/ (ame, mw)

estrange — verb

  • estrangepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • estranges3rd person singular
  • estranging-ing form
  • estrangedpast simple

1. to make people who were once close stop trusting or treating each other warmly,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make people who were once close stop trusting or treating each other warmly, so the relationship turns cold or hostile

例句

A long court battle estranged Tomas from his two brothers.

estrange + someone + from + person

Harsh remarks at dinner estranged Megan from the rest of the team.

同義詞
  • alienate

    broader; can also apply to voters, customers, or staff, not only close personal ties

  • divide

    focuses on splitting people into sides rather than cooling an existing bond

  • embitter

    stronger; stresses resentment more than distance

反義詞
  • reconcile

    to restore peace in a damaged relationship

  • unite

    to bring people together around a shared feeling or purpose

文法句型

estrange + someone + from + person/group

be estranged from + family/friends/supporters

用法筆記

The object is usually a person or group, and the result is damaged warmth or loyalty between people. A from-phrase often names the relative, friend, or supporters someone is pushed away from.

常見錯誤

❌The scandal estranged the voters to the mayor.
✅The scandal estranged the voters from the mayor.
💡use from, not to, before the person or group someone grows apart from.
❌They became estrange after the fight.
✅They became estranged after the fight.
💡after become, English uses the adjective estranged, not the base verb.

2. to make someone feel cut off from a person, activity, place, or belief that used

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone feel cut off from a person, activity, place, or belief that used to feel familiar or important

例句

The textbook language estranged Folake from school science within one term.

estrange + someone + from + subject

Years of online abuse estranged Amihan from sharing music in public.

同義詞
  • alienate

    broader; often highlights making someone feel unwelcome or outside a group

  • disconnect

    more common and less formal; often used for physical or technical links too

  • distance

    milder; can describe a deliberate choice rather than an imposed feeling

反義詞
  • reconnect

    to regain a lost sense of contact or belonging

文法句型

estrange + someone + from + activity/place/belief

be estranged from + culture/community/idea

用法筆記

This sense is used when language, pressure, or attitude makes someone feel they no longer belong with something once meaningful. The distance is emotional or mental, not mainly a matter of physical removal.

常見錯誤

❌The course estranged me with science.
✅The course estranged me from science.
💡use from after the thing a person loses connection with.

3. to take someone away from the setting and social circle they know best, leaving

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to take someone away from the setting and social circle they know best, leaving them removed from normal habits and ties

例句

The move north estranged Liang from the fishing village of childhood.

estrange + someone + from + familiar place

Boarding school estranged Michael from the home routines of childhood.

同義詞
  • uproot

    stronger; suggests pulling someone out of a settled life

  • displace

    stresses being moved from a usual place, often by force or outside pressure

  • remove

    neutral and general; lacks the formal emotional colouring of estrange

反義詞
  • settle

    to become established in a place or pattern of life

  • integrate

    to become part of a community or setting

文法句型

estrange + someone + from + home/community/customs

be estranged from + familiar surroundings

用法筆記

This sense is more literary than the others. It focuses on being taken away from a familiar setting or social world, so the break comes from changed surroundings rather than a quarrel or an inner reaction.

常見錯誤

❌The move estranged her in village life.
✅The move estranged her from village life.
💡use from before the setting or community someone is removed from.