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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lone
not being in the company of others
a lonesome cypress tree on a rocky, windswept point
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the playground seems especially lonesome now that there are no young children in the neighborhood
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lonesome
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
Though the film eventually finds its way to Saoirse Ronan’s captivating lead performance as a recovering alcoholic, The Outrun begins underwater, observing a lonesome seal in the North Sea.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Alison Krauss will sell no high, lonesome sound before its time.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lonesome
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
Though the film eventually finds its way to Saoirse Ronan’s captivating lead performance as a recovering alcoholic, The Outrun begins underwater, observing a lonesome seal in the North Sea.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Alison Krauss will sell no high, lonesome sound before its time.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
-
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.—
Jon Cohen,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
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That said, Google’s latest survey paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
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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
-
My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Prioritize sleep quality: Creating a consistent bedtime routine and keeping your bedroom cool and dark may help improve sleep.—
Stella Bard,
Health,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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With single items regularly ringing in at more than $100, the brand is heavily associated with the athleisure style of workout gear.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
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
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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
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Since then, on solo records like Eat Pray Thug and Swet Shop Boys’ 2016 LP Cashmere, Suri has used his platform as a critic’s darling to highlight local issues.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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