solitary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsä-lə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce solitary (audio)
Definition of solitarynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lonely
not being in the company of others a solitary sailboat was the only object on the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 solitary
Adjective
Each of the three sections of the novel are narrated by extremely solitary voices: the Brand Anthropologist, the Creative Director, and the Future Leader. —Hazlitt, 9 July 2025 He was told to sit on his bunk for the count, an interminable process that involved tallying every prisoner on the farm, from the men locked down in solitary cells to those wrangling cattle in far‑flung fields. —Literary Hub july 8, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
Noun
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 The changes allow inmates in solitary to participate in additional rehabilitative programming and shave time off their isolation by earning credits. —Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for solitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitary
  1. lone
  2. lonely
  3. hermit
  4. only
  5. single
  6. one
  7. solo
  8. special
Adjective
  • Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to be the lone Red Sox player to take part in Tuesday’s game, which will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta starting at 8 p.m.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • While Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg — the lone cast member to be Oscar-nominated here — get the showier roles, Leo gives a more internal performance as Billy Costigan Jr., a rookie cop who was broken long before going undercover.
    — Derek Lawrence, EW.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • While Bowie envisioned an Earth careening toward apocalypse in a flamboyant, theatrical cry, Drake’s five leaves are quieter, lonelier — more like the end of a season than the end of a world.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • By January, Musk had transitioned to lieutenant, making up DOGE, complete with cringey swag, like a lonely preteen dreaming up a secret club in his tree house.
    — Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Definition of lonely
Noun
  • Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.
    — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
  • The Asian hermit spider’s unique adaptation might seem strange to some and brilliant to others.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of hermit
Adjective
  • But Kelly reminded the audience that tech isn’t the only kind of knowledge that matters.
    — Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 July 2025
  • Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands.
    — Ronald Blum, Twin Cities, 7 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Buckley’s single reenters the Hot Rock Songs list at No. 16, a new all-time peak, and nearly matches its best showing on the other ranking, missing its No. 22 high point by one slot in just its second turn on that roster.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • All proceeds of the single will benefit the National Museum of African American Music.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    — SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    — Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Definition of one
Adjective
  • Prince Louis may be spending a solo day at home with the family's beloved longtime nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, or his grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
    — Stephanie Petit, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • Big Beat electronica pioneer The Crystal Method, now a solo project for co-founder Scott Kirkland, began in 1993, has released seven album and has influenced a generation of film and TV scores.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
Definition of solo
Adjective
  • Missouri’s offer, passed during a hectic special session last month, would fund up to 50% of new construction or stadium improvements.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • The one minute trailer for her special pokes fun at her son, husband, and mother-in-law — which any Zarna fan knows is par for the course.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

solitariness
solitary
solitude
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Cite this Entry

“Solitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitary. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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