as in maverick
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs
something of a lone ranger among anthropologists, she does her research without either a lending hand or an eye toward trendy topics
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Recent Examples of lone ranger
As Kissinger understood, even lone rangers need friends.
—
Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
And while his rivals have landed serious blows against him, he’s embraced the tabloid-style frenzy at each of those junctures, incorporating them into his narrative identity as an underappreciated lone ranger constantly battling the world.
—TIME, 7 May 2024
Look, first of all, Netanyahu is not a lone ranger.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Each bike in the lineup is powered by the same 1,203 cc V-twin that pumps out 120 hp, but the new year will see new styling and colors for the FTR Sport, as well as a few choice performance modifications to help America’s lone ranger compete against the aforementioned competition.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2022
The desperate situation usually has an alternative, if only the lone ranger would tolerate his own vulnerability and fallibility.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2021
Kaneland pitcher Emilee Erickson, wearing a protective face mask in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinal, was no lone ranger.
—Rick Armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, 9 June 2018
Hanes doesn't believe J. Edgar Hoover or the Federal Bureau of Investigation was involved, nor a group of lone rangers.
—Ivana Hrynkiw, AL.com, 4 Apr. 2018
But don’t mistake him for a lone ranger.
—Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2016
Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
And while his rivals have landed serious blows against him, he’s embraced the tabloid-style frenzy at each of those junctures, incorporating them into his narrative identity as an underappreciated lone ranger constantly battling the world.
—TIME, 7 May 2024
Look, first of all, Netanyahu is not a lone ranger.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Each bike in the lineup is powered by the same 1,203 cc V-twin that pumps out 120 hp, but the new year will see new styling and colors for the FTR Sport, as well as a few choice performance modifications to help America’s lone ranger compete against the aforementioned competition.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2022
The desperate situation usually has an alternative, if only the lone ranger would tolerate his own vulnerability and fallibility.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2021
Kaneland pitcher Emilee Erickson, wearing a protective face mask in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinal, was no lone ranger.
—Rick Armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, 9 June 2018
Hanes doesn't believe J. Edgar Hoover or the Federal Bureau of Investigation was involved, nor a group of lone rangers.
—Ivana Hrynkiw, AL.com, 4 Apr. 2018
But don’t mistake him for a lone ranger.
—Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone ranger
Noun
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Most of our mavericks who fly that close to the sun never get to see that journey through.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
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Still, his detective instincts are ultimately reawakened, and his new department becomes a magnet for a crew of misfits and mavericks.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As one of the world's most dangerous assassins, the mysterious lone wolf is torn between providing for his increasingly at-risk family and keeping one step ahead of global intelligence agencies.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Oct. 2025
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Sigma: This term refers to an independent or self-reliant person who operates outside traditional social hierarchies, like a lone wolf.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Taken together with Scorsese’s own unvarnished self-assessment, these conversations transcend Behind the Music clichés to create a portrait of the artist as a man whose path from brash enfant terrible to beloved eminence was paved with introspection.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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Still, Scherzinger was fascinated with the way the enfant terrible’s brain worked and his ability to attract a new generation of theatergoers to London’s once-stodgy West End.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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North West is a free spirit in fashion, no matter what anyone thinks.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Below, Bruni Tedeschi and Marcello speak to Variety about why Duse’s free spirit and non-conventional feminism, coupled with her talent, are so relevant today.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lone ranger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone%20ranger. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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