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alienate

[ey-lee-uh-neyt, eyl-yuh-] / ˈeɪ li əˌneɪt, ˈeɪl jə- /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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She steered clear of politics, saying she didn't want to alienate half her audience.

From BBC Aug. 25, 2026

A point they do argue — that picking on billionaires will alienate them, push them out of California and tank the state’s budget — is at least plausible.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 5, 2026

“At times like this you can see a glut of genre movies made by people who have no idea what they’re doing, and that can alienate audiences.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 10, 2026

You don’t want to alienate your mom or dad, or make them feel that you don’t support their late-in-life shot at romantic bliss.

From MarketWatch Jun. 30, 2026

The West Wing—particularly David Axelrod, now a senior adviser in the administration, and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs—thought it would be perceived as too showy, too costly, and could potentially alienate Barack from the public.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

If shifting the club’s priorities alienates some older members who happen to be among the club’s important donors, it would be justified, Pilch said.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 27, 2024

He denies this assessment of his character, along with assertions that he alienates his fellow politicians.

From BBC Oct. 1, 2024

This is getting so weird, it alienates most people who hear about it.

From Salon Aug. 13, 2024

“I’m trying not to do anything that alienates anyone. But I can’t just not do the right thing because I’m scared.”

From Seattle Times Dec. 18, 2023

“These are just rumors and gossip. The proverbs say ‘He who harps on a matter alienates his friend.’

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

From the moment she walked onto the stage at his public memorial in Arizona to fireworks more suited for a World Series championship, Erika Kirk has alienated people, even drawing accusations of faking her sorrow.

From Salon Sep. 8, 2026

Luxury brands have alienated some shoppers by raising prices too quickly without much innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

With a few posts, they alienated the very supporters who championed them as living proof of redemption.

From Slate Aug. 6, 2026

She went on to be the UN rights chief, a sensitive role in which she alienated some countries, especially China, which mauled her for reporting on Beijing's alleged abuses of the country's Uyghur minority group.

From Barron's Jul. 23, 2026

It was one of the fringe benefits of living for so many years essentially alienated from the world around him: He could easily believe that he was right and the world was wrong.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Whether you’re a young politician looking to avoid alienating your peers, or a senior representative not looking to upset the apple cart, there’s little incentive to squabble over the way things have always been done.

From Salon Sep. 2, 2026

But the move risks alienating customers who already may be grumbling about the complex array of ticket options when it comes time to book a flight.

From MarketWatch Aug. 13, 2026

In a time when teen life is subsumed by alienating digital technology and an understandable risk-aversion, “Nimrods” takes the yearnings of its young punks seriously.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 5, 2026

Such controversies highlight the delicate balance facing brands hoping to attract younger audiences without alienating their core, longstanding customer base.

From BBC Jul. 27, 2026

Not a single story has a magical priest who is terribly to be feared because he knows ways of winning over the gods or alienating them.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton




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