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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 Alison Krauss will sell no high, lonesome sound before its time. Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025 The cowboy is a longstanding symbol of North America, and is romanticized as a ‘real man,’ the strong silent type, lonesome, self-reliant and emotionally distant. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Kelce, all by his lonesome away from the main field, sprinted through route after route — stop-start motions that require explosive movements off the line and at the top of the routes. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2025 Flanking Jupiter on one side, going outward from Jupiter will be Io, Europa and Callisto and Ganymede, while all by its lonesome on the other side, will be Ganymede. Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • Similarly, a cat was sent to a shelter after 10 years in a home after his owner passed away, leaving him lonely and searching for a new home.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Health officials have said the United States is facing a mental health crisis, and in 2023, nearly 1 in 4 adults around the world reported feeling fairly or very lonely.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lone survivor was identified as Anton Tselykh, 38, of Seattle, according to the sheriff's office.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • 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
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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
  • Mujica was imprisoned for thirteen years, much of it in a solitary underground cell—an experience that nearly drove him mad.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Harry, meanwhile, channeled the country theme of the show by wearing his cowboy hat with dark jeans and a gray shirt over a black top.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Dragons loaded the bases with two outs for Dean who lined a single to right to drive home two to give Carroll a 3-0 lead.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025
  • Eurostar already allows passengers to book a single ticket from London to several Swiss cities, including Geneva, Zurich, and Lausanne.
    Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 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
  • Since then, musicians have focused on their solo careers, although the group has reissued several of their formative albums in recent years.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
  • While Jin made his first solo visit last year, BTS has a long history on The Tonight Show.
    Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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