FRIENDLESS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

friendless

adjective

Definition of friendless

as in withdrawn

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 friendless Perhaps helped along by gendered expectations of strength and silence, the idea that men are friendless has taken hold. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 There’s already basically no legal trade between Venezuela and the United States and, other than Cuba, Venezuela is essentially friendless in world politics. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025 That leaves it friendless, brittle, and uncreative—and, paradoxically, that leaves it vulnerable when fighting, too. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendless

Adjective

In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of withdrawn

Adjective

The Cabin Creek Fire northeast of Alturas Lake originated from an unattended campfire sometime between July 10-11.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
The petition says the property has been in violation of city code for over five years and the owner has received several citations for various issues including roof disrepair, unattended vegetation growth, trash and graffiti.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of unattended

Adjective

As the days went on, Mainoo cut a forlorn figure walking through various post-match mixed zones, often being among the first to board the team bus.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
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, ABC News, 28 June 2026

Definition of forlorn

Adjective

Wilson’s one-out strikeout in the bottom of the ninth in an at-bat that could have scored the winning run with a fly ball or grounder up the middle was an especially costly mistake, though not an isolated one, as the A’s struck out 14 times total.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
The company disclosed last week that a combination of its artificial intelligence models escaped an isolated testing environment that had very limited internet access.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Definition of isolated

Adjective

Think a helicopter ride to Antiparos, private boat trips to secluded beaches around the island, wine tastings at local vineyards, and visits to marble workshops.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 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 secluded

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

Scientists at the Fudan University in Shanghai have developed a two-dimensional flash memory that can store data at room temperature using a solitary electron.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
At its center is Armony (Mastandrea), a solitary, 55-year-old truck driver who is forced to care for his 6-year-old niece, Carlotta (Cherchi), after his sister’s disappearance.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 23 July 2026

Definition of solitary

Browse Nearby Words

friending

friendless

friendlies

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Friendless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendless. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of friendless

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on friendless

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes