alone 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of alonenext
1
as in independently
without aid or support completely new to the big city, she nevertheless managed to find her way home alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in only
for nothing other than would willingly play professional baseball for the sheer enjoyment alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alone

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlōn How to pronounce alone (audio)
1
as in lonely
not being in the company of others no one realized the boy was alone in his room so they all left for the movies without him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in one
being the one or ones of a class with no other members he is alone among the actors of his generation in his exceptional ability to play both comedic and serious parts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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an alone time
a solitary time
a private time
a secluded time
a personal time
an alone group
a solitary group
an individual group
a separated group
a singular group
a separate group
an alone entity
a solo entity
a complete entity
a sole entity
an unique entity
a single entity
an alone system
a solo system
a solitary system
an individual system
an independent system
a separate system
an alone product
a single product
a complete product
a separate product
an independent product
a whole product

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of alone are desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words 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

When can desolate be used instead of alone?

The meanings of desolate and alone largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is forlorn a more appropriate choice than alone?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 alone?

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, in the sense of alone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of alone?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When could solitary be used to replace alone?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone, 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 alone
Adverb
That includes $300 billion this year alone in planned capital expenditures from megacap technology companies. —Kif Leswing, CNBC, 12 June 2025 In Illinois alone, Medicaid supports the health and economic security of 3.4 million people. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Adjective
Others Have Gone Before Him Barron isn’t alone in finding his way to adulthood with the world and Secret Service agents watching. —Linda Marx, People.com, 7 June 2025 The second assist sent Sam Bennett in alone on goal. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for alone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone
  1. only
  2. lonely
  3. one
  4. separately
  5. solely
  6. lone
  7. just
  8. single
Adverb
  • The defeat clinched the Mets’ first series loss at Citi Field in more than a month and only their second of the season.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
  • Over the settlement’s 10-year umbrella, that could amount to $20 billion of money that, by the way, only a handful of schools actually have.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • As found in the survey, adults who experience daily loneliness are nearly five times more likely to rate their current life poorly compared to those who aren’t lonely.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Skeletal branches created a cathedral over the lonely vehicle where the 64-year-old man had breathed his last, the winter-gray river placid in the background behind a ramble of fences.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025
Definition of lonely
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
Adverb
  • The justices also separately reined in orders seeking transparency at DOGE, the team once led by billionaire Elon Musk.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
  • The battle royale between the world’s most powerful man and its richest inhabitant appears to be mostly over, save for some residual skirmishing on the social media platforms separately owned by Trump and Musk.
    — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Definition of separately
Adverb
  • They are prohibited from interfering with lawful assemblies or collecting information on individuals based solely on identity, beliefs or associations.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
  • Romantic comedies have always existed almost solely for pleasure’s sake—that’s what’s great about them.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 June 2025
Definition of solely
Adjective
  • Nunes’ lone loss during her dominant stretch came against Peña.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • The lone exception was Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso and a former Republican member of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Air Force during the first Trump administration.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2025
Definition of lone
Adverb
  • Keep scrolling to check out my 10 go-to beach essentials, with prices starting at just $9.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique just opened in Guanacaste—and T+L was the first to check in.
    — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
Definition of just
Adjective
  • The cheeseburgers at Mama’s Snack shack are $5.50 for a single and $8.60 for a double.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • The mogul’s various businesses — including Combs Enterprises that was largely funded by Combs’ partnership with liquor giant Diageo — deposited up to $800,000 in a single day into the personal account.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025
Definition of single

Phrases Containing alone

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aloft
alone
aloneness
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Cite this Entry

“Alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alone. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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