forlorn

adjective

fər-ˈlȯrn How to pronounce forlorn (audio)
Definition of forlornnext
1
as in sad
feeling unhappiness she was forlorn when she found out the trip had been cancelled

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lonely
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a forlorn wanderer far from home

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer a forlorn little town whose brief economic boom ended decades ago

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4
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope the forlorn expression of a candidate who knows that he hasn't a prayer of winning the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word forlorn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of forlorn are alone, desolate, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

When could alone be used to replace forlorn?

While the synonyms alone and forlorn are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use desolate instead of forlorn?

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

desolate after her brother's death

How does the word lone relate to other synonyms for forlorn?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of forlorn?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When would lonesome be a good substitute for forlorn?

While in some cases nearly identical to forlorn, lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is solitary a more appropriate choice than forlorn?

The words solitary and forlorn can be used in similar contexts, but 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 forlorn Dan, who sometimes looks a little forlorn, is troubled by something... —Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025 The forlorn and broken-hearted are now tortured with watching an ex’s new life unfold right on their phone. —Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Alex, meanwhile, certainly seems to be enjoying his newfound popularity at school, which leaves Jackie looking forlorn and feeling left behind in the teaser. —Julia Moore, People.com, 7 July 2025 San Diego is preparing to offer the forlorn and soon-to-be empty municipal building on the outskirts of the Civic Center for sale or lease. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for forlorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forlorn
  1. sad
  2. lonely
  3. bleak
  4. desperate
  5. unhappy
  6. desolate
  7. hopeless
  8. depressed
Adjective
  • As Malcolm and Henry prepare to return home, they are met with the sad news that Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) has died, throwing Malcolm into a new leadership position.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Happy for her but selfishly sad.
    — Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • Breaking free from the isolation tax isn’t just about feeling less lonely.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • There are a lot of lonely people out there.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • Not all of Mythopedia is so bleak—just my favorite parts.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • When kittens Sam and Frodo were found, survival odds were bleak.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Parallel to this moment, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), the seasoned and shrewd Bollywood producer who has been managing Aasmaan’s early career, and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi), a fading actor desperate for a comeback, investigate the truth on their own.
    — Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The government – desperate for good economic news before the November Budget – claims that investment will create some 7,600 jobs.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of desperate
Adjective
  • Kybella can be used as an alternative to surgery for patients who are unhappy with fat under their chin, also known as submental fullness, and have not seen improvement with diet and exercise, according to the manufacturers.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Folks felt exposed or excluded or some unhappy combination of both.
    — Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • The lock screen on the Mac remains a desolate place, relative to the same area in both iOS and iPadOS—this is still a no-notifications, no-widgets zone that exists only to keep your Mac locked.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
  • While the rest of Burning Man celebrated, Kruglov lay prostrate on the ground at a faraway campsite in a comparatively desolate section of Black Rock City, his throat slashed, as a puddle of blood congealed around his lifeless body.
    — Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • Yerevan now found itself in a hopeless situation, bereft of any real allies, its military in tatters, and an increasingly bitter Armenian public.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Showing such unwavering and hopeless devotion?
    — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • Because that’s the case, their actual margin opportunity is depressed.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This might be because people are a bit depressed.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of depressed

Browse Nearby Words

forks (over, out, or up)
forlorn
forlornly
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Cite this Entry

“Forlorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forlorn. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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