alienating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alienating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes someone to feel isolated or estranged from a group or situation. Example: "The new policies implemented by the management have been alienating to many employees, leading to a decline in morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

14cb30be-97e2-42e9-8e13-fc863ccf3fa0 Ed Miliband risked alienating some voters, and unnerving sections of his own shadow cabinet, when he stood firm on Wednesday, saying he was opposed to an in-out referendum on the terms proposed by David Cameron.

The Guardian

The White House had also risked alienating its own supporters by trying to help Boehner bridge the remaining gap and continuing with a controversial deportation policy while a comprehensive reform bill still looked a possibility.

The Guardian

The new study, the largest of its kind to be published around the 2015 election, shows again the challenges thrown up by the result for Labour as the party seeks to win back Ukip voters in the north without alienating its base of BAME supporters.

The Guardian

However, the former taoiseach was always concerned about not alienating the unionist population of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

Jonathan made the mistake of alienating Obasanjo; leading the general to write a public 18-page letter containing lacerating criticism of the president in December 2013.

The Guardian

To most outside the bubble, this excessive navel-gazing is wearying, even alienating: it fosters the sense of a media class which is only interested in what people like them have said about other people like them.

The Guardian - Opinion

But such efforts don't always run according to plan, here are a few examples of university marketing gone wrong: Rebranding a university is always a delicate business – how do you create a modern, eye-catching image, without alienating current staff and students?

The Guardian

But the danger of such cuts, as the NUJ rightly points out, is the likelihood of alienating still further the papers' dwindling audiences.

The Guardian

Before the 2011 election, the SNP had been very careful not to put independence at the centre of its campaign, to avoid alienating non-nationalist voters.

The Guardian

Indeed we are alienating people who have voted for us for all their lives, leaving them with no one to vote for".

The Guardian

Has Mr Sarkozy shot himself in the foot, head and every other part of his body by courting the far right and alienating the centre?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alienating", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about creating distance, causing hostility, or simply losing support? Choose synonyms accordingly for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "alienating" excessively in overly dramatic or emotional situations. Sometimes, a more measured term like "isolating" or "distancing" can provide a more balanced and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alienating" is that of a present participle, often used as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense. It describes something that causes estrangement or isolation. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alienating" functions as a present participle describing actions or situations that cause estrangement. According to Ludwig AI, its use is grammatically correct and acceptable. It's commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "alienating", consider its specific nuance and avoid overuse in emotionally charged contexts. Alternatives include "estranging" and "isolating". The top sources are The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estranging

Focuses on causing someone to feel less close or friendly.

isolating

Highlights the act of setting someone apart or making them feel alone.

distancing

Emphasizes the creation of emotional or physical separation.

antagonizing

Implies provoking hostility or opposition, leading to estrangement.

disaffecting

Focuses on causing someone to lose affection or loyalty.

turning off

Suggests causing someone to lose interest or become averse.

marginalizing

Emphasizes pushing someone to the edge or periphery of a group.

creating distance

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of establishing separation.

driving away

Highlights the action of causing someone to leave or withdraw.

losing the support of

Focuses specifically on losing backing or approval from someone.

FAQs

How can I use "alienating" in a sentence?

You can use "alienating" to describe actions or situations that cause someone to feel isolated or estranged. For example, "His controversial remarks risked "alienating his supporters"".

What are some alternatives to "alienating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "estranging", "isolating", or "disaffecting".

What does it mean to say something is "alienating"?

To say something is "alienating" means that it causes someone to feel like they don't belong or are excluded from a group or situation.

Which is the correct usage, "alienating to" or "alienating from"?

While both are grammatically possible, "alienating to" is generally preferred when emphasizing the effect on a group or individual, whereas "alienating from" highlights a separation that has already been set in motion.