alienating

al·ien·ate  (ly-nt, l--)

tr.v. al·ien·at·ed, al·ien·at·ing, al·ien·ates

1. To cause to become unfriendly or hostile; estrange: alienate a friend; alienate potential supporters by taking extreme positions. See Synonyms at estrange.

2. To cause to become withdrawn or unresponsive; isolate or dissociate emotionally: The numbing labor tended to alienate workers.

3. To cause to be transferred; turn away: "He succeeded . . . in alienating the affections of my only ward" Oscar Wilde.

4. Law To transfer (property or a right) to the ownership of another, especially by an act of the owner rather than by inheritance.

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[Latin alinre, alint-, from Latin alinus, alien; see alien.]

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alien·ator n.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

alienating - causing hostility or loss of friendliness; "her sudden alienating aloofness" antagonistic - arousing animosity or hostility; "his antagonistic brusqueness"; "Europe was antagonistic to the Unites States"