1
as in sad
feeling unhappiness she was forlorn when she found out the trip had been cancelled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in lonely
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a forlorn wanderer far from home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word forlorn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of forlorn are alone, desolate, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

When could alone be used to replace forlorn?

While the synonyms alone and forlorn are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use desolate instead of forlorn?

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

desolate after her brother's death

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

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of forlorn?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When would lonesome be a good substitute for forlorn?

While in some cases nearly identical to forlorn, lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is solitary a more appropriate choice than forlorn?

The words solitary and forlorn can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example 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 forlorn No way would this list be complete without a Swift banger or two, and this one is a particularly forlorn ode to lost love. Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 Conversely, as prices increase, ownership becomes an increasingly forlorn dream for those on the other side of the real estate divide. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2024 This show of strength and vulnerability for his life partner — whose forlorn expression embodied her family’s uncertain future — would serve as Napier’s north star with his program. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024 The forlorn look on former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Alan Mullery’s face told the story. Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forlorn 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn
Adjective
  • January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.
    Glamour, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.
    Faith Karimi, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But for now, Bannon is a fairly lonely voice shouting against AI velocity.
    Axios, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Some suggested ways to make the dog feel less lonely when Lauren isn't home, such as leaving the TV on.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Matt Harrison, president of Kuka Home North America, which has a furniture manufacturing base in Monterrey, fears the future could be bleak.
    David Culver, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The negotiations have seemingly stalled and the market for him is bleak.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Las Vegas is in desperate need of stability at the quarterback position, having cycled through multiple quarterbacks in recent years.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • He was found guilty of orchestrating a weeks-long plot that culminated in his followers attacking the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to keep Trump, a Republican, in power.
    Michael Kunzelman and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ratings declined, Lynch was unhappy, and the show was canceled.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Saquon Barkley is an unstoppable force, the defense is resurgent under Vic Fangio, the chatter about an unhappy A.J. Brown has mostly died down.
    Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For the scenes that take place in the Human World, the crew is going to shoot in a desolate part of Iceland.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
  • What's more, the plane was completely encircled by massive screens that projected high-resolution videos of desolate Alaskan wilderness.
    Marco della Cava, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Limit Media Exposure Without Putting Your Head in the Sand Staying informed is essential for leaders, but constantly consuming the news can leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
    Amy Blankson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Collette plays Muriel, who escapes from her hopeless life via her devoted fandom to the Swedish supergroup.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s high-end real estate ambitions with GOP connections Gen Z employees are stressed, depressed, and burnt out: Study Netflix keeps raising prices.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The study also reveals that 46 percent of Gen Z felt stressed (compared to the 35 percent employee average), 35 percent felt depressed (compared to 20 percent average), 44 percent felt burned out (compared to 34 percent), and 30 percent felt isolated (compared to 22 percent).
    Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near forlorn

Cite this Entry

“Forlorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forlorn. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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