1
2
as in lonesome
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others I was lonely when I first got to Los Angeles, but I soon made friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonely distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonely are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is it sensible to use alone instead of lonely?

In some situations, the words alone and lonely are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could desolate be used to replace lonely?

The synonyms desolate and lonely are sometimes interchangeable, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Where would forlorn be a reasonable alternative to lonely?

The words forlorn and lonely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

How does the word lone relate to other synonyms for lonely?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of lonely?

The words lonesome and lonely can be used in similar contexts, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When would solitary be a good substitute for lonely?

While the synonyms solitary and lonely are close in meaning, 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 lonely The results come as Americans are increasingly reporting feeling lonely. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025 This is a long and lonely journey down a very difficult path for all of those who are forced to walk it. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025 That seems to apply to those who are already susceptible: One 2022 study found that people who were lonely or had poor relationships tended to have the strongest AI attachments. Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025 Honestly, performing with my best friend… Sometimes podcasting is lonely. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonely
Adjective
  • In his lone college season at Duke, Flagg solidified himself as the best prospect in the country, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.
    Christian Clark, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • The lone survivor was identified as Anton Tselykh, 38, of Seattle, according to the sheriff's office.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • It’s filled with gorgeous, serene shots of tastefully stately locales, from giant towers to simple rooms (even what looks like the inside of a fast food restaurant has a kind of lonesome grandeur to it).
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Outside, Archer Avenue is lonesome in the daylight, austere Resurrection Cemetery stretching along one side and depressed dusty parking lots and industrial-looking buildings lining the other side.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The latest Email Threat Trends Report from VIPRE paints a bleak picture.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Ukraine in 2025 is a bleak prospect.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of people have this idea of the north as being cold and desolate, and maybe people, once upon a time, lived up there, but don't anymore.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Memphis rapper began the show with dramatics, rising on a giant platform with her back to the audience as a screen behind her projected the image of a desolate street.
    John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Blast off at Baltimore's science fiction convention, see natural beauty envisioned by artists from around the world, take a stroll after dark at the zoo, celebrate Baltimore creatives or go to a legendary concert.
    John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
  • His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Republican leaders have reportedly floated a higher SALT cap of $40,000 for single people and $80,000 for married couples in an effort to break that impasse.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 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
  • The second jewel of the Triple Crown has long owned its forlorn middle-child status.
    Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The only hope comes from gloomy Americans and forlorn Eastern Europeans in service to a weary national idea.
    Armond White, National Review, 2 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lonely

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!