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alone

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adjective

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an alone time
a solitary time
a private time
a secluded time
a personal time
an alone group
a solitary group
an individual group
a separated group
a singular group
a separate group
an alone entity
a solo entity
a complete entity
a sole entity
an unique entity
a single entity
an alone system
a solo system
a solitary system
an individual system
an independent system
a separate system
an alone product
a single product
a complete product
a separate product
an independent product
a whole product

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alone distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

The meanings of desolate and alone 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 alone?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 alone?

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, in the sense of alone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of alone?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When could solitary be used to replace alone?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone, 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 alone
Adverb
In July alone, the United States collected almost $30 billion in tariff revenue – 242% more than the same month last year, according to the Treasury Department. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025 That casting alone suggests these films aren't connected, but that remains unconfirmed. EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Conducting most of the test with the driver alone in the vehicle. Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025 New York was hardly alone in dealing with poor air quality Monday. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone
Adverb
  • The lawsuit is only against KSTP and not against individuals.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Katella’s offense averaged only 10 points per game, but coach Dustin Hurley said the offense is simplified this season and the team might play with more tempo.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Hero Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) lonely fight for survival gave way to a military mission to vanquish aliens ravaging a human colony; Cameron filled the frame with cocky Marines, boxy space tanks, and an adorable orphan who finds in Ripley a surrogate mother.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The movie Marty was based on Chayefsky’s television drama about two lonely people finding love.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Aug. 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
Adverb
  • Sorting Hat doughnut also available, but sold separately Additionally, Krispy Kreme is also offering a Sorting Hat Doughnut that will be sold separately in a limited-edition specialty box, while supplies last.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Most plaintiffs would rather have the lawyer paid separately and avoid the need for the deduction.
    Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • As Fanatics expanded beyond its licensed merchandise roots, company executives noticed an encouraging trend: customers that utilize multiple Fanatics verticals typically spend three-to-four times more with the company than those that buy just apparel or collectibles, or those that solely gamble.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Hot 100 hit by a female K-pop group in the chart’s 60-plus year history — previous top spots were held solely by BTS and its solo offshoots.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
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
  • Head-to-head battle coming for slot corner job The Cowboys’ lone starting job on either side of the ball that is up for grabs, in my opinion, is the slot corner spot.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Fox, who just completed graduate school, decided to dedicate part of a month-long break to searching for a diamond.
    Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
  • President Donald Trump had just spent several hours in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven other leaders from Europe who had come along in a frantic effort to shore up U.S. support for the Ukrainian position.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 19 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
  • According to an example give by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a single taxpayer earning $50,000 — including $5,000 in tips — could save $600 with the new tax deduction on tip income.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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