lone wolf 1 of 2

noun

Definition of lone wolfnext
as in bohemian
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs a lone wolf in the art world, he has his own style and paints only to please himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lone-wolf

2 of 2

adjective

as in antisocial

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Dissimilar Words

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 lone wolf
Noun
One of the trickiest parts for the Secret Service is trying to anticipate the lone wolf who might suddenly show up at an event, or approach the White House gates. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 This was a lone wolf, in my opinion. — CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Tracker, based on the bestselling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who driven by the troubles of his past, uses his instincts to find the missing and collect rewards. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026 There is a perverse possibility that these lone-wolf acts could lead to collective punishment. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone wolf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone wolf
  1. maverick
  2. antisocial
  3. lone ranger
  4. lone
  5. free spirit
  6. unsociable
  7. enfant terrible
  8. unsocial
Noun
  • Put simply, Hanke sees Venezuela’s future as the world’s leading oil maverick that will go rogue if OPEC’s strictures prevent it from maximizing the worth of its sumptuous reserves.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the Wisconsin governor’s race, for instance, much of the support for the presumptive Democratic nominee, Francesca Hong, stemmed from her maverick stance against data centers.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of maverick
Adjective
  • Contrary to popular belief, reading—our favorite thing in the world—needn’t be antisocial.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Sources previously told Rolling Stone that Nick Reiner attended the party with his parents and appeared to exhibit antisocial behavior.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of antisocial
Noun
  • The desperate situation usually has an alternative, if only the lone ranger would tolerate his own vulnerability and fallibility.
    — Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2021
  • Kaneland pitcher Emilee Erickson, wearing a protective face mask in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinal, was no lone ranger.
    — Rick Armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, 9 June 2018
Definition of lone ranger
Adjective
  • Councilmember Barbara Leary, a longtime environmental activist and the lone opposing vote on the Toll Brothers project, said applications calling for the removal of those 29 acres have already been submitted.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Adobos, whether with three chiles or the lone suave guajillo chile, become life-giving purees for marinated fish, chicken and beef shank.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of lone
Noun
  • Deborah is a sheltered young woman, a free spirit with a flair for the spotlight and a big heart who’s still figuring out her own path at Hillman.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Wrangler combines its Western heritage and the free spirit of the ’70s in its latest collection with Grammy-winning country music artist Lainey Wilson.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of free spirit
Adjective
  • Hospitality fared well in Deputy’s study, making up half of the 10 happiest job sectors, despite the sector’s reputation for high stress, unsociable hours, and low pay.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024
Definition of unsociable
Noun
  • Ellis was the enfant terrible of the ’80s and ’90s literary scene, earning a following with novels about disaffected teens and 20-somethings mixed up in drugs, ennui, and gang rapes.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At Balenciaga, where Pierpaolo Piccioli made his debut with bubble silhouettes that reference an iconic dress by the house founder and chez Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink had the last laugh—as an enfant terrible is wont to do.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Definition of enfant terrible
Adjective
  • Especially now, during the daunting age of unsocial media.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The choice of verbs on social media seems, to Miss Manners, to demonstrate a decidedly unsocial intent.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2022
Definition of unsocial

Browse Nearby Words

lonesomeness
lone wolf
lone-wolf
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Cite this Entry

“Lone wolf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone%20wolf. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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