alienation

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌeɪliːəˈneɪʃən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved.; The act of transferring ownership of property or rights to another person.; A feeling of estrangement or emotional distance from someone or something previously close.; In psychiatry, a state of mental disturbance or insanity (archaic usage).

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable / uncountable Plural: alienations

Collocations

sense of alienationfeelings of alienationalienation from societyparental alienationalienation effectgrowing alienation

Derivatives

alienatealienatedalienatingalienalienableinalienablealienability

Synonyms

estrangementisolationdetachmentdisconnectionseparationdisaffection

Antonyms

belongingconnectionintegrationcloseness

Commonly confused

isolation
EN: 'Isolation' refers to physical or social separation; 'alienation' emphasizes the emotional or psychological feeling of being disconnected or estranged.
estrangement
EN: 'Estrangement' typically refers to a broken relationship between specific people; 'alienation' is broader and can refer to a general feeling of disconnection from society, work, or oneself.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the sequence 'alien-a-tion' — don't drop the 'a' between 'alien' and 'tion', and note the single 'l' throughout.

💬 Examples

  1. The alienation of the working class from the means of production was a central theme in Marxist theory.

  2. The alienation of the estate to his nephew was completed through a formal deed.

  3. Years of neglect led to a deep alienation between the father and his children.

  4. The physician noted the patient's alienation from reality and recommended institutional care.