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 Since the beginning of the year, lone attackers have set fire to a governor’s mansion in Pennsylvania, shot and killed a young Jewish couple in Washington, D.C. and firebombed a pro-Israel march in Boulder, Colorado. Will Carless, USA Today, 18 June 2025 The team’s lone win that fall — a 27-6 triumph against Century — snapped a 17-game losing streak. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 18 June 2025 Hot on the heels of J.J. Spaun’s gritty U.S. Open triumph where the San Diego State alum was the lone man under par—golf’s major season stays in beast mode with no cooldown in sight. Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Nunes’ lone loss during her dominant stretch came against Peña. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
Adjective
  • Madonna is far from the only celebrity to have been spotted with purses by Aupen — Taylor Swift was notably spotted on a date with Travis Kelce in October 2023 wearing the brand's Nirvana bag in black.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • Yet despite the ongoing negotiations, the only trade framework the U.S. has reached is with the U.K., along with a tariff truce with China.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Back on top 4-2, Castellanos made it 5-2 with a single off Garza.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • The Yankee Stadium crowd booed loudly as Gary Sanchez cruised into first base with a single into shallow center field.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 June 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
  • Set against a twilight backdrop, a solitary cute ghost appears almost out of place, an image both understated and unresolved.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Human prompting will no longer be the sole driver of AI activity once autonomous agents begin to generate usage on their own.
    Jim McGregor, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The ordinance gives him the sole right to approve an endorsement.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • On social media, there’s a certain kind of influencer who specializes in attracting lonely, unhappy people by brandishing mantras and principles that will allegedly lead them to more fulfilled and successful lives.
    Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Over in her Hawaiian home land, 19-year-old Nani (Tia Carrere) has been trying her best to fend for herself and her lonely little sister Lilo (beautifully voiced by young Daveigh Chase) in the absence of their parents.
    Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from doctors and dermatologists.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 June 2025
  • The fee-free days only waive fees for standard amenities, which do not include fees or costs associated with campground reservations, cabin rentals or special tours.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Grede kicked off the Instagram carousel with a solo mirror selfie, followed by a mirror selfie with the Duchess of Sussex.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • While there have been hundreds of successful expeditions across the Mid-Atlantic, the North Atlantic is less frequently traversed by solo ocean rowers and teams.
    Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lone

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