Synonyms of solitary

solitary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsä-lə-ˌter-ē 

1

as in lone

being the one or ones of a class with no other members

a solitary example of truth-stretching is hardly grounds for branding the man a congenital liar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lone
• only
• one
• special
• unique
• single
• sole
• singular
• alone
• distinctive
• sui generis
• distinct
• solo
• one-off
• unaccompanied
• unattended
• peerless
• matchless
• incomparable
• unsurpassable
• unparalleled
• inimitable
• individual
• separate
• unequaled
• unrivaled
• unmatched
• unsurpassed
• nonce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• multifarious
• myriad
• mixed
• miscellaneous
• varied
• manifold
• promiscuous
• assorted
• heterogenous
• popular
• prevalent
• prevailing
• rampant
• recurrent
• perennial
• patchwork
• divers
• motley
• repeated

2

as in lonely

not being in the company of others

a solitary sailboat was the only object on the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lone
• lonely
• single
• solo
• alone
• lonesome
• unaccompanied
• isolated
• secluded
• friendless
• deserted
• separated
• on one's own
• isolate
• cloistered
• unattended
• unchaperoned
• withdrawn
• abandoned
• retired
• hermetic
• divided
• segregated
• insulated
• detached
• disassociated
• sequestered
• separate
• unconnected
• forlorn
• remote
• disjointed
• unattached
• neglected
• forsaken
• dissociated
• unlinked
• quarantined
• forgotten
• disunited
• fractionated
• disconnected
• lorn
• adrift
• desolate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accompanied
• adjacent
• attended
• contiguous
• adjoining
• next-door
• neighboring
• coupled
• connected
• communicating
• attached
• chaperoned
• escorted
• linked

solitary

2 of 2

noun

as in hermit

a person who lives away from others

weary of European civilization, the painter Paul Gauguin famously abandoned France to become a solitary in the South Seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hermit
• recluse
• isolate
• anchorite
• eremite
• shut-in
• homebody

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• socialite
• socializer

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solitary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of solitary are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, and lone. While all these words mean "isolated from others," 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

When can alone be used instead of solitary?

The meanings of alone and solitary largely overlap; 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

In what contexts can desolate take the place of solitary?

The words desolate and solitary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of solitary?

Although the words forlorn and solitary 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 solitary?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How do lonely and solitary relate to one another?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is lonesome a more appropriate choice than solitary?

The synonyms lonesome and solitary are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of solitary

Adjective

Birds such as albatross and southern giant petrels are often visible soaring through the skies above, while elephant seals permeate the beaches and solitary leopard seals feed in the surrounding waters. —Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

The animals are usually solitary and highly active; however, they are not known to be aggressive to humans. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

Noun

Paul was sent into solitary for not having his shirt on in his cell. —David Trone, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2024

Former convicts also said that men in solitary had to put away their beds from waking call to sleep time, forcing them to stand or sit for most of the day. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024