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
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
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
The original film followed a group of high schoolers who find an unlikely, intergenerational friend in Sue Ann Ellington, a lonesome veterinarian and devoted party animal played by Spencer.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
The original film followed a group of high schoolers who find an unlikely, intergenerational friend in Sue Ann Ellington, a lonesome veterinarian and devoted party animal played by Spencer.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
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The movie Marty was based on Chayefsky’s television drama about two lonely people finding love.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Hero Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) lonely fight for survival gave way to a military mission to vanquish aliens ravaging a human colony; Cameron filled the frame with cocky Marines, boxy space tanks, and an adorable orphan who finds in Ripley a surrogate mother.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Bills didn’t convert a single third down the entire game, but their lone positive play on third down was due to Shavers winning his route on a 3rd-and-18 and drawing a defensive pass interference penalty to give the Bills offense a rare, earned first down.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Head-to-head battle coming for slot corner job The Cowboys’ lone starting job on either side of the ball that is up for grabs, in my opinion, is the slot corner spot.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Directed by Paul Schrader with a script by Bret Easton Ellis, this spiritually bleak L.A. drama features Lohan’s most daring performance, and probably the only one that manages to break completely with her childhood and adolescent roles.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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The situation is bleak enough that, even if aid increases rapidly in the coming weeks, deaths from starvation are almost certain to rise.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The mobius-thinking at times almost seems like Medieval Zen, what with the emphasis on emptiness and silent meditation, and in fact that was what the Church fathers objected to most: too much quiet, solitary contemplation, not enough pious instruction.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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One look at his lone, dark face in his Brighton High class picture tells you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With respect to Anthony, the Red Sox broached the idea of a long-term deal with his reps prior to the season, but the player was not yet ready to commit, having not yet even taken a single at-bat at Fenway Park.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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According to an example give by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a single taxpayer earning $50,000 — including $5,000 in tips — could save $600 with the new tax deduction on tip income.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Emperor Titus attempted but failed to revive Pompeii and its sibling town Herculaneum soon after the catastrophe, leaving the desolate region largely abandoned until its rediscovery in 1748.—
Andrew Paul Aug 7,
Popular Science,
7 Aug. 2025
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In Namibia, Shipwreck Lodge in the desolate Skeleton Coast National Park and the secluded Hoanib Valley Camp are oases of luxury in otherworldly settings.—
Erina Pinar,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the weeks following the tragedy, the catalogs of the solo powerhouse and Black Sabbath have moved huge quantities of units and invaded charts all around the world, as is the case whenever such a spike occurs following a major event.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Rave stepped up with a solo homer in the third inning.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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