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 next

as in sad

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 The trail was, like many trails in forlorn places, a concept as much as a reality. —

Mark Johanson, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026 Yet the director, Vanessa Caswill, stages it all with a tenderly forlorn Middle American plausibility. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026 In his 150th Villa appearance, the 1-1 home draw with Leeds late last month, Bailey looked forlorn. —

Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 But the island seems as forlorn and abandoned as any time since the fall of the Soviet Union. —

Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forlorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn

Adjective

And there is a beautiful human element to it that is kind of, at its core, a little sad.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026