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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 England reached stumps on 103-4 after 15 overs, still needing 270 runs in its seemingly forlorn chase of 373 to win on a deteriorating pitch and heading for a first defeat in a home series of three or more tests since 2012. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 Before pushing the film into its final forlorn section, the excitement that something sexy might happen charges the actors. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Paul drove into Wilkes-Barre from Princeton on Christmas Day after the chapel service and dropped his bags at a forlorn motor lodge on Public Square—Christmas carols dragging at slow speed on its sound system—and swung by my parents. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 Some episodes in his final week felt a bit forlorn. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for forlorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn

Adjective

In another bit of sad synchronicity, both the Raiders and Cardinals won just three games and fired their coaches last season.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Murphy referred to Lucas’ death as one of the saddest days of his life.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

If the rumors are true, the M6 could end up being a lonely chip.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
No one should have to endure a procedure as unsafe as hers, yet even safety doesn’t always guarantee respite from fear, pain, and grief—feelings that one-note sloganeering about empowerment relegate to a lonely darkness.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

Beth Israel collected the desperate advertisements placed in the national newspapers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
But in season 3, the tables turn when Joe is abducted by an unknown enemy, sending her team on a desperate mission to bring her home.

— Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

Advocates unhappy with California AG Media advocacy group Free Press criticized California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Such promotions on social media and elsewhere might trigger some unhappy conversations between taxpayers and legitimate tax professionals.

— Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

Many social media users suggested Pearman may have missed the point of the somber experience of visiting a living memorial where one of history’s greatest atrocities occurred.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
On Thursday, members of The Times editorial staff gathered to celebrate Swed, but the mood was somewhat somber.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of somber

Adjective

Cregger uses first-person-shooter point-of-view shots, with the long barrel of a rifle or automatic weapon lining up our sights; one running gag sees Bryan, completely hopeless with guns, having to shoot the locks off of gates.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Sorry to all the hopeless romantics, but the answer is TAP-DANCED.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of hopeless

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“Forlorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forlorn. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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