Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

solitary

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of solitary

1 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 of solitary

alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, special, sui generis, unique
Words Related to solitary

single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended

incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed

distinct, distinctive, individual, separate

nonce
Near Antonyms of solitary

divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad

assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied

popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant

perennial, recurrent, repeated

2 not being in the company of others

  • a solitary sailboat was the only object on the horizon
Synonyms of solitary

alone, lone, lonely, lonesome, single, solo, unaccompanied
Words Related to solitary

unattended, unchaperoned

forlorn, friendless

cloistered, disassociated, hermetic (also hermetical), insulated, isolate, isolated, remote, retired, secluded, withdrawn

quarantined, segregated, separated, sequestered

separate, unattached, unconnected, unlinked

detached, disconnected, disjointed, dissociated, disunited, divided, fractionated

abandoned, adrift, deserted, desolate, forgotten, forsaken, lorn, neglected
Phrases Synonymous with solitary

on one's own
Near Antonyms of solitary

attended, chaperoned, escorted

adjacent, adjoining, communicating, contiguous, neighboring, next-door

attached, connected, coupled, linked
Antonyms of solitary

accompanied

Synonym Discussion of solitary

alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome, lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others. 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
solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course
    • glorying in the calm of her solitary life
but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss.
    • left solitary by the death of his wife
lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.
    • felt lonely and forsaken
lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.
    • an only child often leads a lonesome life
lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.
    • a lone robin pecking at the lawn
forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.
    • a forlorn lost child
desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.
    • desolate after her brother's death

solitary

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of solitary

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 of solitary

anchorite, eremite, hermit, isolate, recluse
Words Related to solitary

homebody, shut-in
Near Antonyms of solitary

socialite

socializer

Learn More about solitary

  1. See words that rhyme with solitary Dictionary: Definition of solitary Medical Dictionary: Definition of solitary Spanish Central: Translation of solitary Nglish: Translation of solitary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of solitary for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up solitary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

zibeline

a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  2. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

  3. endgame Marvel's Avengers: Endgame

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games