alienating
UK: ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪ.tɪŋ | US: ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪ.tɪŋ
adj. causing someone to feel isolated or estranged
vt. the act of making someone feel unwelcome or disconnected
The root "alien" derives from Latin alienus ("belonging to another"), which evolved into Old French alien ("strange, foreign"). The suffix "-ate" marks verb formation (e.g., "isolate"), and "-ing" forms the present participle. The word originally described literal foreignness but shifted metaphorically to emotional estrangement in the 16th century.
His harsh criticism was alienating to the team.
The policy risks alienating minority communities.
She avoided alienating her audience with complex jargon.
Constant interruptions can be alienating in conversations.
The manager’s favoritism created an alienating work environment.