Alienation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'alienation' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the feeling of being isolated or estranged from others or from one's environment. You can use the word 'alienation' in various contexts, such as in psychology to describe a sense of detachment or disconnection from oneself or others, in sociology to refer to the feeling of being separated from society or a particular group, and in literature to describe a character's sense of isolation or detachment. Example: John's constant travels for work and lack of time for his family led to a sense of alienation from his loved ones.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The physical and mental state of politicians was a keenly-debated issue at Hay this weekend, as alienation continues to define the political discourse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Creative endeavour as a route out of frustration and social alienation was not just an appealing idea, Drew suggested, but a growing political imperative.

The Guardian - Tech

This sense of alienation comes from the trend of young people being increasingly pitted against each other, fighting for the same precarious jobs and terrified of taking risks while burdened with unprecedented debt.

The Guardian

May rejected rioters' assertions that the unrest was linked to alienation from the police or the government, dismissing concerns raised in the research report as "excuses".

The Guardian

But so too, said Gardner, is a straightforward alienation that many young Muslims feel from society.

The Guardian

Part of this despair stems from the alienation of the revolutionary movement from large sections of mainstream sentiment.

The Guardian

But what's more, we occupied to remedy a feeling of profound political alienation and powerlessness: overcoming this was our greatest achievement.

The Guardian

It is more than capable of dealing with deeper issues like alienation, tech noir and teen angst.

The Guardian

It's going to be a battle against the sense of alienation and despair so many people feel about politics and how it's been done in the past".

The Guardian

The success of these parties has revealed a "deep anxiety, distrust and alienation from the institutions and core philosophies of Europe" that cannot be ignored, he said in comments released to the Times.

The Guardian

The result is a dangerous dual effect of entrenching unfairness and stoking political alienation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of social or political policies, use "alienation" to highlight feelings of disconnect and powerlessness among affected groups.

Common error

Avoid using "alienation" and "isolation" interchangeably. "Alienation" often implies a sense of disconnect from a system or group, while "isolation" refers to being physically or emotionally alone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alienation" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, representing a state or feeling of being estranged or separated. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alienation" functions as a noun to describe a state of emotional or social distance, as Ludwig AI has shown. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While related to terms like estrangement and isolation, it carries its own specific nuance of disconnect from a system or group. When using "alienation", it is beneficial to consider the specific context to distinguish from other forms of social disconnection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Estrangement

Focuses on the state of being separated from someone or something, often implying a loss of affection or connection.

Isolation

Emphasizes the state of being alone or separated from others, often suggesting a lack of social contact.

Disaffection

Highlights a feeling of dissatisfaction and detachment from people, organizations, or society.

Detachment

Implies a lack of emotional involvement or interest in something or someone.

Marginalization

Refers to the process of being pushed to the edge of society or a group, often leading to a sense of exclusion.

Segregation

Focuses on the separation or division of people based on race, religion, or other factors.

Disconnection

Highlights the absence of a link or relationship between things or people.

Exclusion

Emphasizes the act of preventing someone from participating in something or being part of a group.

Withdrawal

Implies a retreat from social contact or emotional involvement.

Dissociation

Describes a feeling of detachment from reality or one's own body or thoughts.

FAQs

How to use "alienation" in a sentence?

You can use "alienation" to describe a feeling of separation or disconnection from society, people, or even oneself. For example: "The rapid pace of technological change has led to a growing sense of alienation among some workers."

What can I say instead of "alienation"?

You can use alternatives like "estrangement", "disaffection", or "isolation" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "alienation" or "estrangement"?

Both "alienation" and "estrangement" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Alienation" often implies a broader sense of societal disconnect, while "estrangement" typically refers to a breakdown in personal relationships.

What's the difference between "alienation" and "isolation"?

"Alienation" refers to a feeling of disconnect from a system or group, whereas "isolation" refers to being physically or emotionally alone. While related, they are not interchangeable.