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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 Like being in the corner office, swimming can largely feel like a lonesome single-person sport (the 1500m freestyle is 30 laps back and forth for over 15 minutes). Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 June 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 Williams knew the self was something else—the basic, lonesome unit of tragedy. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • Tour can be lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people.
    Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
  • But without the necessary business acumen in their teams, these technology leaders fight lonely battles.
    Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That number may be a bit skewed by his lone postseason appearance last season (five innings, four runs) but is the number regardless.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • On an office bar cart beside bottles of Dom Perignon and Don Julio 1942 are rows and rows of Monster energy drinks and a lone canister of Loaded Hot Dog Pringles.
    Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The one constant is the unhappy couple’s bleak surroundings.
    Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Writing is a solitary, sedentary, indoor activity while tennis is a social (certainly at those Quebec Street courts), active, outdoor pursuit.
    Thomas Swick September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Interestingly, Lorraine has taught Judy to ward off her frightening visions by using a nursery rhyme, effectively teaching her to suppress her dark side.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Dolphins wear white jerseys at home for afternoon games, forcing opponents to wear darker colors that absorb more heat.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those numbers are rough estimates, because they are based on a single observation.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • At a 12% marginal tax rate, for example, the $6,000 deduction for a single taxpayer who is 65 or older would result in $720 in tax savings.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Silksong is steeped in religious imagery — desolate chapels, ringing church bells, even rosary beads that act as in-game currency.
    Keller Gordon, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Her haunting soprano ranged from desolate whispers to expansive belts.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of offering multiple services or products, successful solo entrepreneurs focus on one specific, high-value offer.
    Matteo Pittaluga, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Every birthday trip has reminded me that solo travel is about more than being alone.
    Essence, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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