The act of causing someone to feel isolated or estranged from a group, society, or their own self. This process often involves actions that create a sense of difference, exclusion, or detachment. aliening can manifest in various ways, including social ostracization, emotional detachment, or the adoption of beliefs and behaviors that contrast significantly with those of a specific community. It's frequently associated with feelings of loneliness, powerlessness, and a loss of belonging. Furthermore, it can involve manipulations and influences, such as propaganda, disinformation, or attempts to sway opinions. The opposite of aliening aims to foster connection, inclusion, and a sense of belonging and togetherness. aliening describes an active process, highlighting that something or someone is actively pushing people away.
Aliening meaning with examples
- The company's new policy, favoring remote work, risked aliening employees who thrived on office camaraderie. Many employees felt isolated and disconnected as a result. The shift was seen as aliening those who valued in-person collaboration and social interaction, leading to a drop in morale and a rise in departures from the company.
- The politician's divisive rhetoric proved successful in aliening opposing voters, deepening the political divide. The strategy centered on fostering resentment and suspicion, effectively aliening potential supporters with contrary political views. Such practices intentionally sought to isolate them from the larger group.
- Years of family conflict eventually led to the children aliening themselves from their parents, and the subsequent emotional distance was difficult to repair. This process involved creating distance and mistrust and thus successfully aliening them. Consequently, this breakdown in familial bonds was a heartbreaking and drawn-out process.
- The algorithm, designed to personalize content, inadvertently ended up aliening users by creating filter bubbles that restricted their exposure to diverse viewpoints. It was isolating users by restricting viewpoints to their already-held beliefs. This process of aliening was a consequence of the algorithm, and not the goal.
- The artist's provocative new installation, which incorporated controversial imagery, had the unintended effect of aliening a significant portion of his existing fanbase, leading to online debate and critical division. This form of art was successfully aliening a key section of its target audience.