ALONE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'alone' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of alone are desolate , forlorn , lonely , lonesome , lone , and solitary . While all these words mean "isolated from others," alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms. // everyone needs to be alone sometimes

Q: When can 'desolate' be used instead of 'alone'?

The meanings of desolate and alone largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement. // desolate after her brother's death

Q: When is 'forlorn' a more appropriate choice than 'alone'?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear. // a forlorn lost child

Q: How does the word 'lone' relate to other synonyms for 'alone'?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone . // a lone robin pecking at the lawn

Q: How do 'lonely' and 'solitary' relate to one another, in the sense of 'alone'?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship. // felt lonely and forsaken

Q: In what contexts can 'lonesome' take the place of 'alone'?

The words lonesome and alone can be used in similar contexts, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy. // an only child often leads a lonesome life

Q: When could 'solitary' be used to replace 'alone'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone , solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course, but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss. // glorying in the calm of her solitary life // left solitary by the death of his wife

alone 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of alone next

as in independently

without aid or support completely new to the big city, she nevertheless managed to find her way home alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in only

for nothing other than would willingly play professional baseball for the sheer enjoyment alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alone

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlōn

as in lonely

not being in the company of others no one realized the boy was alone in his room so they all left for the movies without him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in one

being the one or ones of a class with no other members he is alone among the actors of his generation in his exceptional ability to play both comedic and serious parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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an alone time

a solitary time

a private time

a secluded time

a personal time

an uninterrupted time

an alone group

a solitary group

an individual group

a separated group

a singular group

a separate group

an alone entity

a solo entity

a complete entity

a sole entity

an unique entity

a single entity

an alone system

a solo system

a solitary system

an individual system

an independent system

a separate system

an alone product

a single product

a complete product

a separate product

an independent product

a whole product

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of alone are desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms.

everyone needs to be alone sometimes

When can desolate be used instead of alone?

The meanings of desolate and alone largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is forlorn a more appropriate choice than alone?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

How does the word lone relate to other synonyms for alone?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How do lonely and solitary relate to one another, in the sense of alone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of alone?

The words lonesome and alone can be used in similar contexts, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When could solitary be used to replace alone?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone, solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course, but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss.

glorying in the calm of her solitary life

left solitary by the death of his wife

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of alone

Adverb

The mantel alone is beautiful, with box molding and plenty of other wood detailing in a gray finish that will fit with virtually any design scheme. —

Clint Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2024 However, Humbert decided to go it alone and ended up being the victim of quite a frightening shark attack. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Nearly two out of five Gen Z and millennial travelers have spent up to $5,000 on tickets alone for destination live events, one recent study from Bread Financial found. —

Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 Sporting goods, gear and retail were the largest drivers for Oregon's outdoor economy — with companies like Nike, Columbia Sportswear and Adidas North America all headquartered here — bringing in $2.3 billion alone for the state, per the report. —

Meira Gebel, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone

Adverb

An All-Star in six seasons, Colavito provided the muscle for the Cleveland Indians and several other American League teams in the late ’50s and ’60s, an era in which only a handful of Hall of Famers outslugged him.

Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
Rocky Colavito, who was one of baseball’s leading sluggers in his time and a huge fan favorite playing the outfield for the Cleveland Indians, only to be traded away in the most infamous deal in the club’s history, has died.

Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024