Alienate sergeant in mess (8)

I believe the answer is:

estrange

'alienate' is the definition.
('estrange' can be a synonym of 'alienate')

'sergeant in mess' is the wordplay.
'in mess' is an anagram indicator.
'sergeant' anagrammed gives 'ESTRANGE'.

(Other definitions for estrange that I've seen before include "Alien" , "Cause to become unfriendly using reagents" , "Ten gears (anag.)" , "Divorce" , "split up?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app