alienation
Alienation refers to the state of feeling isolated or excluded from a group, society, or even oneself. It describes a sense of emotional distance where an individual feels they do not belong or have no connection to their environment.
Examples
3 of 5He felt a sense of alienation when all his friends started talking about their new hobbies that he didn't share.
He felt a sense of isolation when all his friends started talking about their new hobbies that he didn't share.
The study examines the deep-seated social alienation felt by urban youth in modern industrial societies.
The study examines the deep-seated social isolation felt by urban youth in modern industrial societies.
I felt some serious alienation at the party because I didn't know anyone there and couldn't join the conversation.
I felt some serious isolation at the party because I didn't know anyone there and couldn't join the conversation.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'alien' from another planet—they are completely different and don't belong; 'alienation' is the feeling of being that alien in your own society.
Quick Quiz
The move to a massive, anonymous city led to a deep sense of ________ from his rural roots.
Correct!
The correct answer is: alienation
Examples
He felt a sense of alienation when all his friends started talking about their new hobbies that he didn't share.
everydayHe felt a sense of isolation when all his friends started talking about their new hobbies that he didn't share.
The study examines the deep-seated social alienation felt by urban youth in modern industrial societies.
formalThe study examines the deep-seated social isolation felt by urban youth in modern industrial societies.
I felt some serious alienation at the party because I didn't know anyone there and couldn't join the conversation.
informalI felt some serious isolation at the party because I didn't know anyone there and couldn't join the conversation.
In Marxist theory, alienation describes the estrangement of workers from the products of their own labor.
academicIn Marxist theory, estrangement describes the separation of workers from the products of their own labor.
Poor communication within the department led to a feeling of alienation among the junior staff members.
businessPoor communication within the department led to a feeling of detachment among the junior staff members.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a sense of alienation
a feeling of isolation
parental alienation
the process of a child being estranged from a parent
workplace alienation
the feeling of being disconnected from one's job
Often Confused With
Loneliness is a general emotional state of being sad because one is alone, whereas alienation implies being an outsider to a specific system or group.
Usage Notes
Alienation is often used in sociological and psychological contexts to discuss the relationship between an individual and a larger structure. It frequently takes the preposition 'from'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb form 'alienate' when they mean the noun 'alienation'. Also, do not confuse it with 'alignment', which means the opposite (bringing things into agreement).
Memory Tip
Think of an 'alien' from another planet—they are completely different and don't belong; 'alienation' is the feeling of being that alien in your own society.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'alienare', meaning to estrange or make another's, which comes from 'alius' meaning 'other'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western philosophy, specifically Marxism and Existentialism, alienation is a core concept regarding the human condition in the modern age.
Quick Quiz
The move to a massive, anonymous city led to a deep sense of ________ from his rural roots.
Correct!
The correct answer is: alienation
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
example
A1An example is a specific thing or person that shows what a group or a rule is like. It is used to help explain something more clearly so that others can understand it easily.
always
A1This word describes something that happens at all times or on every occasion. It is a frequency adverb used to talk about habits, permanent truths, or repeated actions.
result
A1A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that happened before. It is often used to describe the final score of a game, the grade on a test, or the outcome of a specific action.
reason
A1A reason is a cause or explanation for why something happens or why someone does something. It is the information that answers the question 'Why?'.
research
A1A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. It involves gathering facts and data to test a theory or solve a problem.
girl
A1A female child or a young female person from birth until she reaches adulthood. It is also commonly used to refer to a daughter or, in informal settings, to a young woman.
food
A1Food refers to any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
moment
A1A very short period of time or a specific point in time. It is often used to ask someone to wait briefly or to describe a significant event occurring right now.
himself
A1A reflexive pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is a male person or animal previously mentioned. It is also used to emphasize that a specific man or boy did something personally or without help.
force
A1Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
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