alienated from reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"alienated from reality" is correct and usable written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who feels disconnected from the world around them and isolated from reality. For example: After spending weeks cooped up in his apartment, John began to feel completely alienated from reality.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She cites a letter from Sanders to Brian Aherne that is a grim classic of self-loathing, in which he describes "the actor, strutting and orating away his youth and his health, alienated from reality, disingenuous in his relationships, a muddle-headed peacock forever chasing after the rainbow of his pathetic narcissism".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Disappointed in love, increasingly alienated from Soviet reality, and denied a visa to travel abroad, he committed suicide in Moscow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And how does he know that superhero fantasy "became more intense and pleasurable the more it was alienated from adult reality"?

The New York Times - Books

"If I include a Wodehousian joke in my writing, am I alienated" from Indian realities?

The New York Times

Managing to slip so easily between the severity of the situation and the absurdity of his dealings with a room full of nervous, sweating politicians so alienated from the realities of war.

Independent

"Just requesting the students and residents to back down is unreasonable as well as alienated from the political reality.

BBC

She just became increasingly alienated from her own world".

The Guardian - Music

I feel alienated from the "real world".

Vice

"I strongly disagree with those who think that our union with technology will alienate ourselves from reality, from nature or from other livings.

BBC

Like Narcissus gazing at himself in the forest pool, all these reflected doubles signify the modern split psyche -- alienated from humanity, from moral values, and from objective reality.

Huffington Post

Whatever inroads secularism made in the 20th century, a generation-long, worldwide Islamist revival has washed much of it away.The reality is that most Egyptians remain grindingly poor, ill educated and alienated from a ruling class seen as more attuned to Western fashions than local custom.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "alienated from reality", ensure the context clearly explains what aspect of reality the subject is disconnected from. This adds precision and avoids vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "alienated from reality" as a generic descriptor of unhappiness. Instead, specify the source of alienation, such as "alienated from the political process" or "alienated from social norms".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alienated from reality" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a state of being estranged or disconnected. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is correct and usable written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alienated from reality" describes a state of disconnection or estrangement from the real world. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While it can indicate a symptom of mental health issues, it often reflects a broader sense of detachment arising from trauma, social isolation, or significant life changes. Alternatives such as "detached from reality" or "disconnected from reality" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the source of the alienation for clarity and avoid overly abstract or generic applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detached from reality

Focuses on the separation or disconnection from the real world.

disconnected from reality

Highlights the lack of connection or link to the real world.

out of touch with reality

Emphasizes a loss of awareness or understanding of the real world.

removed from reality

Focuses on the act of being taken away or distanced from the real world.

isolated from the real world

Emphasizes the feeling of being cut off or separated from the tangible, everyday world.

estranged from reality

Suggests a feeling of alienation and unfamiliarity with the real world.

alienated from the world

Broadens the scope of alienation from just 'reality' to the entire 'world'.

living in a fantasy world

Implies a preference for an imaginary or idealized version of reality.

divorced from reality

Indicates a deliberate or forceful separation from the real world.

living in denial

Highlights the active rejection or avoidance of unpleasant aspects of reality.

FAQs

What does it mean to feel "alienated from reality"?

Feeling "alienated from reality" describes a state of disconnection or estrangement from the world around you, often characterized by a sense of unreality or detachment from everyday experiences.

How can I use "alienated from reality" in a sentence?

You might say, "After his traumatic experience, he felt increasingly "alienated from reality", struggling to connect with others and his surroundings".

What are some alternative ways to express being "alienated from reality"?

Alternatives include "detached from reality", "disconnected from reality", or "out of touch with reality", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "alienated from reality" the same as having a mental illness?

While feeling "alienated from reality" can be a symptom of certain mental health conditions, it doesn't automatically indicate mental illness. It can also arise from trauma, social isolation, or profound life changes.