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 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

Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman quickly produced a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tiny bear cub with big sad eyes and a rope around its neck.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
These sad conventions; these American ways of being, pacing to the end of a block and back like hamsters.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Cycle north along the beach to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, where hiking trails, lonely sands, picnic sites, and kayak rentals fronting a freshwater lake await.

— Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026
But surviving a lightning strike is often the beginning of a long and lonely medical journey.

— Daile Zhang, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

The desperate scene recalled the searches still ongoing in neighboring Venezuela weeks after that country was devastated by two powerful earthquakes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Related Stories Bankrupted by the financial crisis, a Montevideo veterinarian is pushed to desperate straits and doesn’t have enough money to eat.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

Some Democratic board members noted that voters unhappy with Lukas’ performance can express their dissatisfaction in the 2028 election.

— Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
When the motorcycle crew was unhappy with the drugs, Hinman and Beausoleil got into a confrontation.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

For the past four decades, July was always a somber month for the McDonalds, a reminder of the moment that changed their family's lives.

— Ali Bauman, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Less than two months after her historic victory to become Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae stood before a bank of microphones and opposition lawmakers, looking somber.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Definition of somber

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“Forlorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forlorn. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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