solitary

2 of 2

noun

as in hermit
a person who lives away from others weary of European civilization, the painter Paul Gauguin famously abandoned France to become a solitary in the South Seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solitary distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

When can alone be used instead of solitary?

The meanings of alone and solitary largely overlap; 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

In what contexts can desolate take the place of solitary?

The words desolate and solitary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of solitary?

Although the words forlorn and solitary 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 solitary?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How do lonely and solitary relate to one another?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is lonesome a more appropriate choice than solitary?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

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 solitary
Adjective
Discovered in 2011, this exoplanet defies the traditional solitary planetary orbit by circling two stars — much like the fictional Tatooine from Star Wars. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025 In the portraits, solitary young women and an androgynous boy, all unconventional beauties, emerge from spaces that feel not just empty but endless: a seductive void. Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Former convicts also said that men in solitary had to put away their beds from waking call to sleep time, forcing them to stand or sit for most of the day. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The changes allow inmates in solitary to participate in additional rehabilitative programming and shave time off their isolation by earning credits. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for solitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitary
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
  • Also of note: Apple TV+’s Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller film The Gorge, its lone representative on the top ten, fell to No. 8 from No. 3 last week.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Retirement has been described by many who struggle as being incredibly lonely.
    Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Four months ago, the lonely widower met Anna Valenza.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • George lives something of a hermit’s life in Hudson.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The monastery is also home to pink-robe-wearing novice monks, who train at Taung Kalat, and yetis, or hermit monks, who glide in their peaked caps in quiet contemplation across the precariously balanced complex.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, the only Texas stops will also be the tour’s final two shows in The Woodlands and Austin.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The card sold Friday was a 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch card, the only one of its kind produced.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Families can make use of all three rooms with space for privacy and quiet time at the end of the day, while couples or single residents will enjoy utilizing the bonus living areas.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The girl responded that the issue is that every single video has her in it.
    Karen Fratti, People.com, 29 Mar. 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 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
Adjective
  • For Cheng, the former captain, the Hong Kong Sevens will always hold a special place – with its sea of costumes and unmatched sense of fun.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The remaining three are covers that hold special places in his heart.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitary. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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