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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
  • 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
  • The lawsuit is only against KSTP and not against individuals.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The movie Marty was based on Chayefsky’s television drama about two lonely people finding love.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The Hulu + Live TV and Fubo brands will remain separately sold and marketed.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The Texas House has separately issued arrest warrants for the missing lawmakers.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 6 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
  • Barbara Byrne, former vice chairman of British investment bank Barclays PLC, is the lone holdover from the old board and will sit as an independent director.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Supermarket shoppers in the Miami and Orlando areas shared Monday’s lone jackpot win among the Fantasy 5, Cash4Life and Powerball draw games.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • She will be joined by Gabrielle Hardie, who finished just behind her at the Pan American Games.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Picking out an outfit for your Saturday night out just got less complicated!
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 6 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
  • The song had not come out yet but was being considered as the lead single from Swift's sophomore album Fearless.
    Daysia Tolentino, EW.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 20 Aug. 2025.

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