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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
Fox News counted at least 10 deaths from U.S. military helicopter crashes alone in 2024, including five Marines in the same aircraft, and multiple others injured. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 However, parents can refer to the minimum age required to stay home alone in states that have a legal requirement, but lack legislature on babysitting. Sarah Scott, Parents, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
However, the internet wasn’t alone in their surprise. Nathan Vinson, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025 Women may also be less likely to get screened, diagnosed or treated for ADHD and may feel alone with their struggles. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alone 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone
Adverb
  • Between 2021 and 2024, the average attendance at commission meetings was only nine members, less than the 10-person quorum required by statute.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
  • At this point, there are likely only five teams left in the Bregman sweepstakes: the Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Sadly, Jesse died in July 2024, leaving Ruben grief-stricken and lonely.
    Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The sun will undergo this process in around 5 billion years, ending its life as a lonely, cooling stellar ember.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Jan. 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
  • Butler was planning to fly separately to meet the Heat in Milwaukee ahead of its matchup with the Bucks.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Texans, who moved to New York separately after college, connected by playing mahjong at Teng’s apartment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • They are required to faithfully implement administration policies to the best of their ability, consistent with their constitutional oath and the vesting of executive authority solely in the President.
    Jessica Botelho, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2025
  • If your partner’s relying solely on socks to keep their feet warm, get them these extremely soft slides.
    Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Alex Gerber drove in Burnsville’s lone run, while Johnson finished – for-2 with a run scored.
    Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The lone witness at the hearing who was invited by Democrats, Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, argued fiercely against Trump's plans.
    Cory Turner, NPR, 7 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • The Education Department is a relatively small government agency, with just over 4,000 employees and a US$268 billion annual budget.
    Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is now available for just $59.97 (regularly $219) through February 23—a one-time payment for lifetime access with no subscriptions or recurring fees.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While Nvidia lost $600 billion of market value in a single day, for instance, Apple gained more than $100 billion.
    Felix Salmon, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The chipmaker lost close to $600 billion in market cap, the biggest drop for any company on a single day in U.S. history.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near alone

Cite this Entry

“Alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alone. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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