1
as in lonely
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a lonesome kitten left at the pound by its hard-hearted owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonesome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonesome are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is alone a more appropriate choice than lonesome?

In some situations, the words alone and lonesome 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 lonesome?

While in some cases nearly identical to lonesome, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of lonesome?

Although the words forlorn and lonesome have much in common, 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 lonesome?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of lonesome?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When can solitary be used instead of lonesome?

The meanings of solitary and lonesome largely overlap; 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 lonesome This has often been a lonesome endeavor, but Trump’s assault on democracy, financed by some of America’s richest people, has fortified the group’s arguments. Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 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 The quintet collides influences — flourishes of glitchy industrial electronic flourishes, lonesome country-western instrumentation, ornate chamber pop — and tinker with all sorts of pop-rock conventions. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • While Bowie envisioned an Earth careening toward apocalypse in a flamboyant, theatrical cry, Drake’s five leaves are quieter, lonelier — more like the end of a season than the end of a world.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • By January, Musk had transitioned to lieutenant, making up DOGE, complete with cringey swag, like a lonely preteen dreaming up a secret club in his tree house.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Changing Face Of Threats Modern attackers are not lone hackers in basements.
    Bhupendra Singh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Disney Dream is the lone Disney ship for now sailing from the line’s new second home in Fort Lauderdale.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Some traders said the numbers were less severe than analysts' bleak forecasts.
    Sabrina Valle, USA Today, 3 July 2025
  • No one is as funny and as bleak in the same sentence, or maybe even the same word.
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
  • The 2023 World Cup was the first time since 1995 that Denmark had reached a major tournament knockout stage, and at Euro 2022, Harder scored their only goal in their solitary win, a 1-0 victory against Finland.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Executive Chef Graham House and Chef de Cuisine Graham House of Luminosa in Asheville, NC, recommend using a whole roast chicken, both dark and white meat, but placing half of it in the food processor before hand shredding the remaining bits for texture.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
  • My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The track, which was released in May and premiered its music video on May 8, is the lead single from the R&B singer’s upcoming fourth studio album, according to Billboard.
    Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • Reputation can shift in a single news cycle, so organizations need a coordinated system co-led by marketing and communications, each with distinct expertise by audience: • Marketing brings consumer insights, brand-building and commercialization to protect equity and trust.
    Toby Wong, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • For starters, no one would ever describe them as empty or desolate.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Of the 14 missiles, 13 were intercepted, with the final munition allowed to land harmlessly in a desolate area.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • More importantly, her fans have played a vital role in her solo success.
    Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The video comes as Jelly is currently on tour, balancing solo dates with joint stadium shows with Post Malone.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 1 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lonesome

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!