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 Senior Holy Cross-commit Abby Kent delivered the lone goal in the third quarter in the rematch, finally getting one past Ipswich star goalie Abbie Allen (17 saves) amid yet another stellar outing between the pipes. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 Colorado’s lone run came in the second inning. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025 The driver — the vehicle's lone occupant — fled on foot, but was arrested by officers, according to Wauwatosa police. Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Bright out west The lone bright spot for high-speed rail in the United States may be taking shape in the Mojave Desert. Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
Adjective
  • Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote against Miran in the final Senate vote.
    Adeola Adeosun Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Gone is the time when your only options were liquid or powder, full or light coverage.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These acts are punishable crimes, and every single threat will be met with the full force of the law.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Midong solar project is the world's largest single-solar power producer, potentially generating enough electricity for 5 million households.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Each breeding season, male leopard seals dive beneath the ice and repeat long, solitary sequences of five distinct call types for hours on end.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Firemen and police officers are telling Banfield, running towards the sole remaining tower, to go back, to retreat.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Easley, Nunn and Cline have also been the sole board members to vote against several other proposals, including the approval of this year’s budget.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His work in those early days bears little resemblance to the crystalline large-format portraits of lonely American landscapes that would come to define his career.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Quarterback is an isolating and lonely position, despite entire infrastructures reverse-engineered in service of those who play it, to say nothing of the elaborate playbooks created for them.
    Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Townshend recalled performing in Chicago at a small club turned roller rink called the Kinetic Playground, 1969 performances with a particularly special opening act.
    Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Xp Lee won a special election in Minnesota on Tuesday to replace Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, who was assassinated in June.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Matthew has pursued solo projects, his true passion lies in collaborating with his brothers.
    Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Keep this cake around for guests or for accompanying a very satisfying, solo cup of coffee.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lone

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