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

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 lone The 2014 comic that provides the inspiration for the show put a lot of work into emphasizing Kamala Khan’s connection to her family and neighborhood, a trick lifted from Marvel’s very first lone teen hero, Spider-Man. Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025 His lone loss was allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in three innings on April 5 at Wrigley Field, a start sandwiched by a pair of seven-inning, zero-run gems. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 The Natural Disasters are the lone tag team to be inducted this season. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Following his lone season at UCF after transferring from UAB, McWilliams is now firmly on teams’ radar. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
Adjective
  • Woods, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus were the only five golfers to ever complete the grand slam until McIlroy did so on Sunday.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This is especially true when tourism is the primary—or in some cases the only—economic driver.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Each plane has four single suites and four side-by-side suites, two of each at the front of each business class cabin.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • And does anyone other than the goofball manager think that yanking Dominguez out of every single game in which the Yankees have a lead is helping him or his psyche in any way??
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
  • The image of the solitary pontiff lifting the monstrance into the darkest of dark nights was a gesture that acknowledged and in some ways healed those suffering isolation and grief.
    The Editors, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The work often involves periods of solitary focus on restoration or assembly, providing a peaceful work atmosphere that contrasts sharply with high-pressure corporate environments.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As the rounds of secret voting go on, the public's sole way of keeping up with the process is via smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In 1988, the school’s board concluded a search for a new president and selected the sole non-deaf candidate.
    David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This keeps us lonely at a time when the loneliness public health crisis is at an all-time high.
    Priya Vulchi, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ro, now a police officer, needs help investigating the death 22 years earlier of their classmate, Ricky, killed in a hit-and-run on a lonely county road.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Lawmakers can call themselves back to the Capitol in Boise for special sessions with a petition signed by at least 60% of the House and Senate.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Red Bull hosted a special experience titled Red Bull Mirage at Coachella Weekend 1.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The island feels calmer and cleaner, now attracting a wider mix of visitors: honeymooners, families and solo travelers alike.
    Livia Hengel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Jin was the seventh, and final, member of BTS to release a full solo LP and his second album will drop while ARMY awaits word on when the full band will reunite following a nearly three-year hiatus to allow its members to complete mandatory South Korean military service.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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