alienate
To make someone feel isolated or estranged
Examples
In a meeting
“The new policy risks alienating our most loyal customers.”
Over coffee
“His constant bragging tends to alienate people at parties.”
Why this word
isolate
Alienate causes emotional estrangement or hostility; isolate is physical or social separation without implying hostility
distance
Distance creates space; alienate specifically causes feeling of being unwelcome or hostile disconnection
offend
Offend causes temporary hurt feelings; alienate creates lasting sense of being fundamentally at odds or unwelcome
Usage tip
Use when discussing actions that create distance or hostility. Common in contexts of policy changes, communication styles, or social dynamics.
Etymology
Latin 'alienare' (to make foreign) from 'alienus' (belonging to another)
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Anxious or worried about something that may happen in the future
evoke
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resent
To feel bitterness or indignation toward something or someone
placate
To make someone less angry or hostile through appeasement
demoralize
To cause someone to lose confidence or hope
endear
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