FORLORN Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'forlorn' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of forlorn are alone , desolate , lonely , lonesome , lone , and solitary . While all these words mean "isolated from others," forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear. // a forlorn lost child

Q: When could 'alone' be used to replace 'forlorn'?

While the synonyms alone and forlorn are close in meaning, 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'desolate' instead of 'forlorn'?

The meanings of desolate and forlorn largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement. // desolate after her brother's death

Q: How does the word 'lone' relate to other synonyms for 'forlorn'?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone . // a lone robin pecking at the lawn

Q: How are the words 'lonely' and 'solitary' related as synonyms of 'forlorn'?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship. // felt lonely and forsaken

Q: When would 'lonesome' be a good substitute for 'forlorn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to forlorn , lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy. // an only child often leads a lonesome life

Q: When is 'solitary' a more appropriate choice than 'forlorn'?

The words solitary and forlorn can be used in similar contexts, but 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

forlorn

adjective

fər-ˈlȯrn

Definition of forlorn

as in sad

feeling unhappiness she was forlorn when she found out the trip had been cancelled

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lonely

sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a forlorn wanderer far from home

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as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer a forlorn little town whose brief economic boom ended decades ago

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as in desperate

feeling or showing no hope the forlorn expression of a candidate who knows that he hasn't a prayer of winning the election

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word forlorn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of forlorn are alone, desolate, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

When could alone be used to replace forlorn?

While the synonyms alone and forlorn are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use desolate instead of forlorn?

The meanings of desolate and forlorn largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

How does the word lone relate to other synonyms for forlorn?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of forlorn?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When would lonesome be a good substitute for forlorn?

While in some cases nearly identical to forlorn, lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is solitary a more appropriate choice than forlorn?

The words solitary and forlorn can be used in similar contexts, but 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 forlorn It is sometimes forgotten that Gemmill’s goal was scored during Scotland’s forlorn attempt to progress from their group at the World Cup. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 Some episodes in his final week felt a bit forlorn. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026 What the statement failed to mention was the use of price caps by the president, Nicolas Maduro—a forlorn attempt by the country’s leader to shield the public from the effects of a broken and corrupt economy. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 21 May 2026 The forlorn Sonny takes up with his football coach’s wife, Ruth (Cloris Leachman). — David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forlorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn

Adjective

Biden as the progressive hero, and Obama as the sad, weak appendage to the Reagan era.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
But my partner’s son is sad his own father is also less involved but doesn’t see the cause.

— R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 July 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

That’s why even a creator with millions of followers can be lonely inside a system.

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
One problem with all these efforts to mitigate old-age loneliness, Schiller notes, is that the loneliest generation is actually Gen Z.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

Namely stage 13 when the race split into pieces, Tom Pidcock climbed back up the GC, Pedersen had to make a desperate attempt to reach Philipsen up the road to defend green, and the excellent Mauro Schmid got the victory his talent deserves.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The narrative chronicles the desperate struggle for survival in a secluded harbor town after residents discover a mysterious alien entity on their outskirts.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Indeed, Russia’s mass barrages last winter of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure – designed to keep Ukrainians cold, in the dark, and hopeless during the most frigid winter of recent years – are now being answered by Ukraine.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

The rest were overseas — many of them belonging to impoverished locals living in conflict zones or economically depressed regions where other employment options are scarce.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
The adviser told me that, even without drastically expanding the budget or upending the financial markets, Burnham could borrow a bit more to finance public-infrastructure investments and channel money to depressed regions.

— John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of depressed

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“Forlorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forlorn. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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