LONE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of lone are alone , desolate , forlorn , lonely , lonesome , and solitary . While all these words mean "isolated from others," lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone . // a lone robin pecking at the lawn

Q: When would 'alone' be a good substitute for 'lone'?

The words alone and lone can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is it sensible to use 'desolate' instead of 'lone'?

The meanings of desolate and lone 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 'lone'?

Although the words forlorn and lone have much in common, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear. // a forlorn lost child

Q: How are the words 'lonely' and 'solitary' related as synonyms of 'lone'?

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

Q: When might 'lonesome' be a better fit than 'lone'?

The synonyms lonesome and lone are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy. // an only child often leads a lonesome life

Q: When can 'solitary' be used instead of 'lone'?

In some situations, the words solitary and lone are roughly equivalent. However, 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

lone

adjective

ˈlōn

Definition of lone next

as in only

being the one or ones of a class with no other members the lone ripe apple in the entire bag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in single

not being in the company of others just one lone cow in the middle of the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lone are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

When would alone be a good substitute for lone?

The words alone and lone can be used in similar contexts, but 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 lone?

The meanings of desolate and lone 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 lone?

Although the words forlorn and lone have much in common, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

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

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When might lonesome be a better fit than lone?

The synonyms lonesome and lone are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When can solitary be used instead of lone?

In some situations, the words solitary and lone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lone At the nearby church, a lone parishioner rode into the school on a bicycle. —

Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024 Macy's emphasized that the incident, which involved a lone employee, had no material impact on the company's overall finances. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 Two serial killer cases at the same time in the same city; one a lone predator and the other with two suspects arrested and possible third investigated. —

Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024 Supervisor Jim Desmond cast the lone dissenting vote, with Supervisor Joel Anderson absent. —

Alexandra Mendoza, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone

Adjective

Monday's videos appeared to be the only content that was uploaded by the account in its roughy 11-month existence.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
The only other running backs to win it this century were USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005 and Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009.

Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024