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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Dylan took the exit on the county line and pulled into the lonesome border truck stop, pissed in the bathroom, paid for Bob’s coffee with cream and with sugar and took out three hundred dollars at the ATM. Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025 Heavyweights have begun to separate themselves in the standings, and the bottom of the leaderboard is looking especially lonesome. Garrett Chorpenning, New York Times, 11 July 2025 All these decades the educational establishment left Hillsdale College by its lonesome to reject federal funds in exchange for institutional independence. Amity Shlaes, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025 By the end of the night, however, any external, discerning traits fade away, leaving Scott by his lonesome. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • In the play, Farrow played Sharon, a lonely Iowa woman – estranged from her adult son, divorced from her husband – who decides to take a boarder into her large farmhouse.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But on the flip side, the one tally in the win column remains lonely as the team heads into its Week 5 matchup against the Jets in New York.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The team’s lone major free-agent signing in the 2020s has backfired in spectacular fashion.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The drama follows Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) as a detective called in to investigate the 1987 massacre of four scientists brutally murdered in inexplicable ways, with a lone survivor the obvious suspect.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While there is still a chance that Sanders and Colorado can turn things around, the rest of the season is looking bleak.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.
    Essence, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Based on the eponymous bestselling novel, this first-ever adaptation follows Crisóstomo (Santoro), a solitary fisherman who longs for a son.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Yet the Kremlin’s battle with the West has turned solitary.
    Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Attendees can also expect kid-friendly activities, including hair braiding, glow-in-the-dark face painting, accessory booths, photo booths, and giant inflatable mascots on the dance floor.
    Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Atop her dress, Carey opted for a long-sleeve dark leather jacket with a cropped design and edgy zipper closure.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rafaela went 0-for-2 against Fried on the night, while Sogard had a single back in the third.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • At launch, Instant Checkout will support single-item Etsy purchases for ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Pro users.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike other parts of the Cascades, where campgrounds are plentiful and the Pacific Crest Trail attracts hundreds of hikers, this area is desolate.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the Winchesters' massive home, thanks to Andrew's family's wealth, Millie is banished to live in a desolate attic bedroom.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After One Direction announced its hiatus in 2015, Tomlinson released a pair of solo albums, 2020’s Walls and 2022’s Faith in the Future, which both made the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
  • During his brief tenure with the Dolphins, Smith racked up 21 appearances and 18 total tackles, 14 of which were solo.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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