LONELY Synonyms: 175 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lonely

adjective

ˈlōn-lē

Definition of lonely next

as in lone

not being in the company of others a single lonely cactus in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the lonely streets of a honky-tonk beach town in the off-season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 lonely And there’s Hot Frosty, the story of lonely widow Kathy (played by Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert) who finds comfort in a handsome (again, initially topless) male stranger, who turns out to be a snowman brought to life. —

Charley Ross, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024 For others, the holidays can feel particularly lonely. —

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024 Higbee had multiple surgeries after the injuries and said the daily rehabilitation process was both grueling and deeply lonely. —

Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 Ellie is a smart, lonely girl desperate for a sense of family after the death of her father. —

Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lonely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonely

Adjective

In his lone year as a defensive coordinator, his 2017 Houston Texans defense underwhelmed.

Chad Graff, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Shares of our lone energy stock Coterra Energy were up almost 2%.

Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024