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as in lonely
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a lonesome kitten left at the pound by its hard-hearted owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonesome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonesome are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is alone a more appropriate choice than lonesome?

In some situations, the words alone and lonesome 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 lonesome?

While in some cases nearly identical to lonesome, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of lonesome?

Although the words forlorn and lonesome have much in common, 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 lonesome?

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 lonesome?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When can solitary be used instead of lonesome?

The meanings of solitary and lonesome largely overlap; 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 lonesome To rescue his beloved pup, Birney’s lonesome character must enter OBEX’s fantastical medieval realm, where odd creatures dwell, and defeat IXAROTH in his castle. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 Beyond its many plot holes and lackluster plot, the second season saw Reacher team up with his ex-army buddies, which kind of defeats the entire point of Reacher being a one-man army who can take down even the most intimidating foes all by his lonesome. Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 The penguin had left on a lonesome pilgrimage, solus rex, and no one had the slightest clue why. Christian Kracht, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024 Emo act Barely Civil has the perfect album for you, and for these times, throwing bitter screams against lonesome whispers, tender guitar melodies against heart-bursting rock onslaughts, grand statements against intimate emotional excavations. Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • Being lonely is terrible for a person’s mental health.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The results were conclusive: More than two-thirds (69%) of seniors felt lonely a majority of the time (50% of the time or more) before moving into a senior living community.
    Sara Zeff Geber, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hansen, who plays forward for the Cougars, had a hat trick in the Class 3A state semifinal and the lone goal in a 1-0 championship game victory over Lake Highland Prep.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Besides, there’s no question that a lone bowman has the best chance.
    Ray Alt, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Voters were also asked to give one word to describe the Democratic Party, and the responses were bleak.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Outside of the December slide, this is as bleak as it’s looked for the Rangers this season.
    Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Paving the way for the franchise, the first story begins with a solitary ogre living in a swamp, whose life is disrupted when a horde of misfit fairy-tale creatures are exiled to his land by the villainous Lord Farquaad (played by John Lithgow).
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The couple even hires a nanny to care for the doll but shortly after her arrival, strange occurrences begin leading them down a dark path.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Same goes for Lady Gaga and her fire-red McQueen gown, which hit all the right notes of dark romance.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some are able to do this while only raising a single round of capital.
    Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Secured to the back panel via three sliding screws and a single (knurled) fixing screw, each of the drive bays is individually removable.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.
    Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani, The Dial, 25 Mar. 2025
  • That quality is maintained first and foremost by a desolate whistling-wind sound effect in the background of all the scenes, along with a sustained droning musical score.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The solo shot gave the Yankees instant offense in a 4-2, season-opening victory.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The tune marks Sting’s fourth solo appearance on both tallies.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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