lonely

adjective

ˈlōn-lē How to pronounce lonely (audio)
Definition of lonelynext
1
as in lone
not being in the company of others a single lonely cactus in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lonesome
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others I was lonely when I first got to Los Angeles, but I soon made friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the lonely streets of a honky-tonk beach town in the off-season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonely distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonely are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is it sensible to use alone instead of lonely?

In some situations, the words alone and lonely are roughly equivalent. 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

When could desolate be used to replace lonely?

The synonyms desolate and lonely are sometimes interchangeable, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Where would forlorn be a reasonable alternative to lonely?

The words forlorn and lonely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lonely?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of lonely?

The words lonesome and lonely can be used in similar contexts, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When would solitary be a good substitute for lonely?

While the synonyms solitary and lonely are close in meaning, 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

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 lonely How to contend with an onslaught of guidance in an uncertain, lonely world. —Eliza Brooke, Vox, 23 May 2025 Angry can also mean disappointed, protective, or lonely. —Colin Bedell, Them., 22 May 2025 The wolf howl is as savage and lonely a sound as ever fell on human ears (the howl of a Husky sled dog is almost identical). —Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025 In nine countries, 20% or more of young men reported feeling lonely the previous day. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonely
  1. lone
  2. lonesome
  3. bleak
  4. solitary
  5. desolate
  6. dark
  7. single
  8. forlorn
Adjective
  • Brennan Johnson scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute after an incidental deflection off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, sending Spurs to next season’s Champions League.
    — Marcus D. Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
  • The lone goal could be almost directly attributed to it.
    — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 May 2025
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • It’s filled with gorgeous, serene shots of tastefully stately locales, from giant towers to simple rooms (even what looks like the inside of a fast food restaurant has a kind of lonesome grandeur to it).
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of lonesome
Adjective
  • At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.
    — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
  • The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
  • Well Studio, and distributed by Janus Films and Sideshow Pictures, Flow follows a solitary cat that loses its home following a great flood.
    — Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • The location is on federal land just north of the U.S.-Mexico border along a desolate stretch of the Sonoran Desert about 72 miles south-southwest of Tucson.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 May 2025
  • Even the trailers for Superman have echos of the Man of Steel and Batman v Superman trailers, including starting with Superman falling out of the sky into a desolate Arctic area.
    — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • Related Stories All About Jalen Brunson's Parents, Sandra and Rick Brunson See Photos of Timothée Chalamet, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and More On May 16, Chalamet wore a Chrome Hearts tracksuit in a dark navy blue.
    — Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • Blast off at Baltimore's science fiction convention, see natural beauty envisioned by artists from around the world, take a stroll after dark at the zoo, celebrate Baltimore creatives or go to a legendary concert.
    — John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • For a team usually fizzing with creative attacking ideas, their reliance on a single goalscorer, along with a late addition to the team and an unusually clinical finisher from the edge of the box, is not the spread of goal-scoring responsibility we are used to seeing.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Packages valued at up to $800 can no longer bypass customs duty and instead have been slapped with higher duties and single package flat costs.
    — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • The second jewel of the Triple Crown has long owned its forlorn middle-child status.
    — Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The only hope comes from gloomy Americans and forlorn Eastern Europeans in service to a weary national idea.
    — Armond White, National Review, 2 May 2025
Definition of forlorn

Browse Nearby Words

loneliness
lonely
loner
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Cite this Entry

“Lonely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonely. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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