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 Messi scored Miami’s lone goal in the 48th minute off a cross from Jordi Alba. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 May 2025 The Naugatuck train station is a small plexiglass box with a single bench, a lone dot in the expanse of the concrete parking lot, just across from the loading dock of a post office. Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 Geragos also contends Hochman created a conflict by hiring Kathy Cady — a former prosecutor and victims rights attorney who previously represented the lone Menendez relative opposed to their release — as the director of his bureau of victims services. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 No shady initiations into dark web criminal forums required—just a message to a lone entrepreneur serving potential criminals with more transparency than many online shops hawking antiaging creams on Instagram. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
Adjective
  • In their efforts to nourish their families, many overlook their personal needs until the only available option is a quiet act of rebellion through food.
    Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
  • The only choice Hamas has is death or surrender, even if this comes at the cost of the remaining hostages and an even bigger humanitarian catastrophe to more than 2 million Palestinians in the enclave.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even so, Newcastle will go to the capital with no fear and look to secure an unprecedented fourth victory over Arsenal in a single season.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Fragments of a single tooth unearthed in Seven Rivers, Jamaica, in 1999 are the oldest fossil evidence of a ziphodont crocodyliform (a group that includes sebecids) in the Caribbean.
    Ashley Belanger – May 16, ArsTechnica, 16 May 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 addition to providing a safe space for peaceful solitary moments, The Rest Spot services also extend to opportunities for social rest.
    Janeé Bolden, Essence, 16 May 2025
  • During his stay, Munroe registered three assists and a solitary goal, with his versatility a big asset.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Bailey is also requesting sole legal and physical custody of Halo while asking that her ex, 27, only be allowed supervised visitations with their child.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 May 2025
  • An annual brag-fest thrown with the sole purpose of selling advertising space is an unusual venue to wave a white flag, but Bloys had fun with it — as did Max (Ahem, HBO Max) CMO Shauna Spenley.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, a cat was sent to a shelter after 10 years in a home after his owner passed away, leaving him lonely and searching for a new home.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Health officials have said the United States is facing a mental health crisis, and in 2023, nearly 1 in 4 adults around the world reported feeling fairly or very lonely.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Monday is when scheduled events at the cemetery include a concert by the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from special guests.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • So when most kids were enrolling in third grade, Alisa was enrolled in community college, as a special student, in spring 2023.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • While Jin made his first solo visit last year, BTS has a long history on The Tonight Show.
    Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 14 May 2025
  • Since then, musicians have focused on their solo careers, although the group has reissued several of their formative albums in recent years.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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