NYT Dictionary

ALIENATE

/ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪt/

AdjectiveNounVerbAL-ien-ateal-ien-ate · 3 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2025

Meaning

Estranged; withdrawn in affection; foreign

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English alienat(e) (“deranged; uncertain; sequestred, secluded”), from Latin aliēnātus, perfect passive participle of aliēnō (“to estrange, alienate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from aliēnus. By surface analysis, alien + -ate. See alien, and compare aliene.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

estrangeantagonizeisolatemarginalizealiendisaffectaggravateabalienateabruptalter

Antonyms

acceptbefriend

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

2025-11-29IATNHEL
2025-05-17LZATIEN