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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

'estranged'

Can someone be 'estranged' from a friend because of great geographical distance and because a long time has passed since they last had contact with each other? OR does 'estranged' always imply a deliberate emotional disconnection?
  

Top answer

It implies a dislocation of relationship, usually through some action or perceived action by one person.

— Feebs11

  • It implies a dislocation of relationship, usually through some action or perceived action by one person.
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5 Answers
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It implies a dislocation of relationship, usually through some action or perceived action by one person.
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The geographical meaning also exists (2.to remove to or keep at a distance: 'The necessity for traveling on business has estranged him from his family'), but the idea of emotional disconnection is the dominant one.

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I suppose one might also lead to the other.

MrP
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Just like in the old sying "Absence makes the heart grow less fond"?
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In the UK, 'estranged' always applies to a husband and wife no longer living together. I've never heard it used in UK English in any other way. In the UK, we'd say we'd distanced ourselves from friends rather than estranged ourselves from them. Also, there will be a reason for it - not just the fact that one moves to the other side of the world, but more that one does not want to be in contact w
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