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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 forlorn Sonny takes up with his football coach’s wife, Ruth (Cloris Leachman). —

David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026 What might be a fairly routine affair — some performers change outfits nearly every song — is in Lowery’s latest taken to beguiling extremes when the pop star Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) turns up wet and forlorn at the studio of her former fashion designer Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel). —

Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 Offerman, radiating the majestic vulnerability of a forlorn mountain, is spectacular, and his bond with Bodhi helps Margo dive deeply into her new pursuit. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026 Building on the bones of Detroit techno and electro, his best records are hallucinogenic portals into worlds made out of 8-bit textures, rusty bleeps, and the occasional forlorn piano or sandpapery vocal sample. —

Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forlorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn

Adjective

Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.

— Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

His lonely life away from friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) included sleeping under the stairs.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Thrown into the thick of a ballet season, the dancer explained that there wasn’t time to be lonely.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

Rescuers have been combing through the rubble of the hotel in a desperate attempt to save any survivors.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
The teen’s mother was so desperate for an update on her son’s health last year that his criminal defense attorney, Jerod Gunsberg, made an open plea in a Times article for probation officials to provide information.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 June 2026