Synonym Chooser

How is the word lone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lone are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

When would alone be a good substitute for lone?

The words alone and lone can be used in similar contexts, but 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 lone?

The meanings of desolate and lone largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is forlorn a more appropriate choice than lone?

Although the words forlorn and lone have much in common, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of lone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When might lonesome be a better fit than lone?

The synonyms lonesome and lone are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When can solitary be used instead of lone?

In some situations, the words solitary and lone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lone Last month, a lone gunman allegedly shot and killed right-wing speaker Charlie Kirk at an event at a Utah college. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025 Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the lone conservative justice to explain his decision. Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025 The New York Jets are the lone winless team in the NFL after losing to the Carolina Panthers 13-6 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Michael, still silent, went directly into the studio, where a lone microphone and music stand stood. Dan Beck, Variety, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
Adjective
  • The only surefire way to avoid this modern-day traveler's burnout is by taking the path less traveled.
    Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But the Kirk commentary isn't the only potential source of the downward turn.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However, Daulton Varsho, who has been another clutch Blue Jays hitter throughout the postseason, smacked a single to center to score Springer to knot the game at one apiece.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
  • In 2017 two computer scientists demonstrated that this paradox can explain the varied life strategies of slime molds, which can alternate between a solitary, nomadic life and a stationary colony.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Michael captured in every second of performance; shots of massive audiences; countless pictures of Michael in hospitals with sick children, with armies of police and in moments of solitary reflection.
    Melinda Newman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In August, the former professional football player filed for sole physical custody of his and Zolciak's children.
    Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete have both scored their sole big chances, too.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Leave it to Shane Black to turn the lonely act of screenwriting into a contact sport.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
  • One of the more criminally underrated films of the genre, this Frankenstein-esque tale stars Angela Bettis as the title woman, a lonely sort whose sole friend is a doll made by her mom.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There were also special video messages from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and Michelle Yeoh.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With all four members now boasting solo Hot 100 hits, BLACKPINK joins an elite lineage of groups of four or more members who have all scored solo entries on the chart.
    Xander Zellner, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
  • It’s designed to be applied as a radiant base for makeup or for solo wear.
    Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!