alienate myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alienate myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of isolation or distancing oneself from others, either emotionally or socially. Example: "After the argument, I felt the need to alienate myself from the group to process my thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"What I did is alienate myself from everybody.

The New York Times - Magazine

(I alienate myself from her a little by inspecting her so closely...) Almost broken nose.

The Guardian - Books

(I alienate myself from her a little by inspecting her so closely. . .) Almost broken nose.

The Guardian - Books

I like to surf the net from my phone because it allows me to alienate myself from everyone else and EDGE bites it, so Wi-Fi is a must for me.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then I alienated myself further by caring about school.

The New York Times

"I don't think I have alienated myself from Frank Zarb or anybody I need to work with.

The New York Times

If pressed, I tell them that half the time I get paid for arguing with strangers and alienating myself and the other half of my time I try to excel in hospitality and being nice to strangers.

Forbes

"I had... alienated myself from everyone," she admits now.

Huffington Post

Ten hours later I had completely alienated myself and pushed everyone away.

Huffington Post

"It was strange up there, as I had never before alienated myself to such an extent.

Vice

Let us suppose, for argument's sake, that there are people who declare: "Actually, I would prefer to be (probably) childless, to face a hundred kinds of social difficulties, to disappoint and maybe horrify my parents, to risk alienating myself from some of my friends and many of my peers, to be an object of disgust and scorn to many millions of people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alienate myself" to describe intentional or unintentional actions that lead to feelings of isolation or distance from others. Consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "alienate myself" when a gentler term like "needing space" or "reflecting in solitude" might better reflect the situation. Overusing the phrase can create unnecessary drama.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alienate myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. The verb "alienate" takes "myself" as a direct object, indicating that the action of alienating is directed back to the speaker. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alienate myself" describes the act of distancing oneself from others, often resulting in feelings of isolation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and provides examples from various sources. While it is not an extremely common phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of estrangement. When using this phrase, consider the context and whether gentler alternatives like "isolate myself" or "distance myself" might be more appropriate. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

isolate myself

Focuses on the act of physically or emotionally separating oneself from others.

distance myself

Emphasizes creating emotional or social space between oneself and others.

withdraw from others

Highlights the action of removing oneself from social interaction.

separate myself

Suggests creating a distinct boundary between oneself and others.

cut myself off

Implies a more abrupt and decisive severing of connections.

ostracize myself

Suggests putting oneself in a position of being excluded by others, possibly unintentionally.

detach myself

Focuses on removing emotional involvement or attachment.

exclude myself

Highlights the act of self-imposed exclusion from a group or situation.

make myself an outsider

Emphasizes creating a sense of being different and not belonging.

set myself apart

Suggests intentionally distinguishing oneself from others.

FAQs

What does it mean to "alienate myself"?

To "alienate myself" means to distance yourself from others, causing feelings of isolation or estrangement. It can result from actions or behaviors that make you feel disconnected from people around you.

How can I avoid "alienating myself" from others?

To avoid "alienating myself", try to be mindful of your actions and their impact on others. Communicate openly, show empathy, and be willing to compromise. If you need space, explain your reasons clearly and kindly.

What are some synonyms for "alienate myself"?

Synonyms for "alienate myself" include "isolate myself", "distance myself", or "withdraw from others". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always a bad thing to "alienate myself"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, "alienating myself" can be a healthy way to protect your emotional well-being, especially after a conflict or during times of stress. The key is to find a balance between personal space and maintaining meaningful connections.