solitude

noun

sol·i·tude | \ ˈsä-lə-ˌtüd,

-ˌtyüd\

Definition of solitude

1 : the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion

2 : a lonely place (such as a desert)

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about solitude

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Choose the Right Synonym for solitude

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone. solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates. a few quiet hours of solitude isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily. the isolation of the village in winter seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life. lived in pastoral seclusion

Examples of solitude in a Sentence

She wished to work on her novel in solitude. He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods.

Recent Examples on the Web

The word Bespoke conjures images of a master tailor toiling in solitude, fashioning a garment to his customer's specifications and measurements. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "Custom 2.0," 15 Jan. 2014 The stacks look like small shrines to mountain solitude, carefully balanced at the edge of a precipice. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How Kevin Hart tweeted himself out of a job hosting the Oscars," 8 Dec. 2018 The buffer of solitude, sweat and landscape is an apt preparation for art. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New England museums to visit this summer and fall," 4 July 2018 And, at times, the solitude may lead to isolation or the feeling that you’re left out at work. — Dorie Clark, The Seattle Times, "3 tips for avoiding loneliness when working from home," 9 Oct. 2018 Those first few moments of solitude were groundbreaking. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Every Single Time Meghan Markle's Broken Royal Protocol," 16 July 2018 And there are mental ones: Most days are filled with hours of solitude. — Skye Parrott, Marie Claire, "What It's Like to Be a Female Border Patrol Agent," 5 Dec. 2017 In her book dedicated to the subject of solitude, Alone Time, travel writer Stephanie Rosenbloom mentions writers and artists who have been both for and against the practice of eating alone. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, "This Month in Books: ‘What Used To Be Me Before the World Buried It’," 10 July 2018 Aside from the solitude, her biggest concern is bad weather. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "How an Extreme Endurance Athlete Trains to Trek 704 Miles From Antarctica to the South Pole," 11 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solitude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.