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
How did these places get so entangled in one solitary customer, the federal government? —Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Now, with my oldest daughter in college and the middle one less than a year away, my solitary meal is more than a preview. —Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 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
  • In his lone year with Mizzou, Pyne appeared in five games, most notably relieving three-year starter Brady Cook in contests versus Auburn, Alabama and Oklahoma as Cook dealt with hand and ankle injuries.
    — Amelia Hurley, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
  • His lone incompletion was an excellent decision, throwing the ball away after scrambling to create more time for his receivers to get open.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • This keeps us lonely at a time when the loneliness public health crisis is at an all-time high.
    — Priya Vulchi, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ro, now a police officer, needs help investigating the death 22 years earlier of their classmate, Ricky, killed in a hit-and-run on a lonely county road.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of lonely
Noun
  • Indeed, most religions also include a subset of followers who argue for eschewing material things in favor of a more spiritual life frequently personified by hermits.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • George lives something of a hermit’s life in Hudson.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of hermit
Adjective
  • Toni wasn't the only sister to pay tribute with a video.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Jordan Burks had the only double-double of the night for either team, with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • The singer-songwriter first announced the single in January 2024 with an audio excerpt posted on Instagram.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The single reached No. 3 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 4 on World Digital Song Sales.
    — Heran Mamo, Billboard, 10 Apr. 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
  • In addition to being the lead singer of Måneskin, he’s also released a handful of singles as a solo artist and is releasing his first solo studio album, Funny Little Fears, in May 2025.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the bottom of the seventh inning, Turlock native Tyler Soderstrom ripped a solo shot to right to pull his team to within 5-4, his second homer of the game and sixth of the season.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of solo
Adjective
  • What makes her special is that while in the NCAA, Nugent frequently competed in the 100-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash, earning several All-American honors in both events.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2025.

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