lone wolf 1 of 2

noun

Definition of lone wolfnext
as in bohemian
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs a lone wolf in the art world, he has his own style and paints only to please himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lone-wolf

2 of 2

adjective

as in antisocial

Related Words

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 lone wolf
Noun
The assessment, which was based on disruptions, incidents, and violent extremist propaganda, says the potentially enormous crowds make the parade a high priority for lone wolf attackers, the official said. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 18 June 2026 One of the trickiest parts for the Secret Service is trying to anticipate the lone wolf who might suddenly show up at an event, or approach the White House gates. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
Adjective
Tracker, based on the bestselling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who driven by the troubles of his past, uses his instincts to find the missing and collect rewards. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026 There is a perverse possibility that these lone-wolf acts could lead to collective punishment. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone wolf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone wolf
  1. maverick
  2. antisocial
  3. lone ranger
  4. lone
  5. free spirit
  6. unsociable
  7. enfant terrible
  8. unsocial
Noun
  • Much of the money came from indie maverick Mark Duplass, who challenged the producers and writer/director Elliott Tuttle to make a film on that shoestring budget.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This fall, Drexler’s wild, maverick sensibility is cropping up all over New York.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of maverick
Adjective
  • The early identification of psychopathy can potentially prevent an escalation of antisocial behavior.
    — David DeMatteo, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It would be seen as a work of merciless autofiction in the vein of Karl Ove Knausgaard, and it would be discussed, as his books are, as aggressive, antisocial, and spiteful.
    — B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of antisocial
Noun
  • 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
Definition of lone ranger
Adjective
  • Entering the weekend, the Trojans had just one win in 14 matches this season … and that lone win came in late August.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The City Council voted 4-1 to postpone a decision on the Midas Apartments project without setting a new hearing date, with Mayor Dave Bass casting the lone dissenting vote.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of lone
Noun
  • L’Artisan Parfumeur has remained a pioneering niche perfume brand with an independent, free spirit.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Batiste told us his free spirit clashed with the school's more structured methods.
    — Marc Lieberman, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of free spirit
Adjective
  • Hospitality fared well in Deputy’s study, making up half of the 10 happiest job sectors, despite the sector’s reputation for high stress, unsociable hours, and low pay.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024
Definition of unsociable
Noun
  • Lantink has been enjoying the support of fashion’s original enfant terrible, Jean Paul Gaultier.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In the kind of career-making scandal that many young artists dream of, Sachs, who was born in Manhattan, grew up in Connecticut, and studied art at Bennington College, became the city’s newest enfant terrible.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of enfant terrible
Adjective
  • Especially now, during the daunting age of unsocial media.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The choice of verbs on social media seems, to Miss Manners, to demonstrate a decidedly unsocial intent.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2022
Definition of unsocial

Browse Nearby Words

lonesomeness
lone wolf
lone-wolf
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lone wolf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone%20wolf. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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