Synonym Chooser

How is the word solitude distinct from other similar nouns?

The words isolation and seclusion are common synonyms of solitude. While all three words mean "the state of one who is alone," solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

When is it sensible to use isolation instead of solitude?

The words isolation and solitude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

When can seclusion be used instead of solitude?

The words seclusion and solitude can be used in similar contexts, but seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

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 solitude The song – and the band – stealthily established a place in culture by assisting people through big personal moments, both in solitude and with company. Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025 Pay attention to what comes up in your quiet moments of solitude, Scorpio. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 From hidden groves and quiet trails to windswept shores and off-the-beaten paths, these locations were chosen for their ability to offer visitors a true escape — places to unwind and enjoy moments of solitude and peace away from the crowds. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025 And increasingly, women are choosing solitude and self-fulfillment over unsatisfying relationships. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitude
Noun
  • The homes aim to overcome barriers found in traditional shelters by allowing for privacy, property, and pets.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Schools have a responsibility to ensure safety, privacy, and fairness for all students.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Silence about abuse reinforces shame and isolation.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Addressing the isolation of young people has become an urgent priority in eastern Ukraine.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Beneath her sense of duty is a crushing loneliness and the prospect of a life unfulfilled.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is a telling fantasy—to feel more content in one’s dreamed aloneness than in real society.
    Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitude. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on solitude

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