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as in lonesome
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others I was lonely when I first got to Los Angeles, but I soon made friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonely distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonely are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is it sensible to use alone instead of lonely?

In some situations, the words alone and lonely are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could desolate be used to replace lonely?

The synonyms desolate and lonely are sometimes interchangeable, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Where would forlorn be a reasonable alternative to lonely?

The words forlorn and lonely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lonely?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of lonely?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When would solitary be a good substitute for lonely?

While the synonyms solitary and lonely are close in meaning, 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 lonely Remote workers can feel lonely and adrift from the rest of the team that is in person at the office. Simone E. Morris, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Orton’s play follows the story of lonely Kath (Outhwaite) who offers mysterious Mr. Sloane (Stephens) a room to rent in the family home, despite her businessman brother Ed’s (Cerqueira) initial disapproval. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 July 2025 But men and women who are flying solo—without a spouse—typically report their lives to be less meaningful and more lonely. Brad Wilcox, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025 The series is handsomely composed — NFL Films knows how to capture sunlight slanting through shoulder pads and the lonely geometry of empty stadiums. Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonely
Adjective
  • The Bills didn’t convert a single third down the entire game, but their lone positive play on third down was due to Shavers winning his route on a 3rd-and-18 and drawing a defensive pass interference penalty to give the Bills offense a rare, earned first down.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • On the ensuing goal kick, Turner played the ball short to Matt Polster, who folded possession over heavy pressure, the ball falling to an on-rushing Delgado, who fired in the game’s lone goal.
    Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Dylan took the exit on the county line and pulled into the lonesome border truck stop, pissed in the bathroom, paid for Bob’s coffee with cream and with sugar and took out three hundred dollars at the ATM.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Not trying to beat the Dodgers, Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks all by his lonesome.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Directed by Paul Schrader with a script by Bret Easton Ellis, this spiritually bleak L.A. drama features Lohan’s most daring performance, and probably the only one that manages to break completely with her childhood and adolescent roles.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The situation is bleak enough that, even if aid increases rapidly in the coming weeks, deaths from starvation are almost certain to rise.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The mobius-thinking at times almost seems like Medieval Zen, what with the emphasis on emptiness and silent meditation, and in fact that was what the Church fathers objected to most: too much quiet, solitary contemplation, not enough pious instruction.
    Jon Raymond August 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In Namibia, Shipwreck Lodge in the desolate Skeleton Coast National Park and the secluded Hoanib Valley Camp are oases of luxury in otherworldly settings.
    Erina Pinar, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The Emperor Titus attempted but failed to revive Pompeii and its sibling town Herculaneum soon after the catastrophe, leaving the desolate region largely abandoned until its rediscovery in 1748.
    Andrew Paul Aug 7, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • One look at his lone, dark face in his Brighton High class picture tells you.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With respect to Anthony, the Red Sox broached the idea of a long-term deal with his reps prior to the season, but the player was not yet ready to commit, having not yet even taken a single at-bat at Fenway Park.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • That effort will be led by Bruce Campbell, chief revenue and strategy officer overseeing a single worldwide division, Warner Bros.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Dan, who sometimes looks a little forlorn, is troubled by something...
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
  • The forlorn and broken-hearted are now tortured with watching an ex’s new life unfold right on their phone.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lonely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonely. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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