lone

adjective

ˈlōn How to pronounce lone (audio)
Definition of lonenext
1
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members the lone ripe apple in the entire bag

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in single
not being in the company of others just one lone cow in the middle of the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lone are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

When would alone be a good substitute for lone?

The words alone and lone can be used in similar contexts, but 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 lone?

The meanings of desolate and lone 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 lone?

Although the words forlorn and lone have much in common, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

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

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When might lonesome be a better fit than lone?

The synonyms lonesome and lone are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When can solitary be used instead of lone?

In some situations, the words solitary and lone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lone Obviously, the lone goal for the Chiefs is to not just get back to the big game, but to win it again. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 That singing Harry Styles to her one lone watermelon would not encourage it to ripen any faster. —Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 May 2025 For months, Gomez has been the lone voice of dissent at the FCC. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
  1. only
  2. single
  3. one
  4. solitary
  5. sole
  6. lonely
  7. special
  8. solo
Adjective
  • Madonna is far from the only celebrity to have been spotted with purses by Aupen — Taylor Swift was notably spotted on a date with Travis Kelce in October 2023 wearing the brand's Nirvana bag in black.
    — Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • Yet despite the ongoing negotiations, the only trade framework the U.S. has reached is with the U.K., along with a tariff truce with China.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
Definition of only
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 Yankees did take a crack at a comeback in the eighth after a bucket of French fries fell on the field, causing a brief delay, as DJ LeMahieu plated two runs with a two-out single up the middle in the eighth.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
  • Rotate The Cockpit Leadership, especially during crises, shouldn't be a solitary effort.
    — David Meade, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • Conley made his sole Super Bowl appearance against his former team, the Chiefs, in 2024.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
  • Officials shut down a large swath of a national forest in Washington while law enforcement continues to search the area for the girls' father, who is the case's sole suspect so far.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Definition of sole
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
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from doctors and dermatologists.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 June 2025
  • The fee-free days only waive fees for standard amenities, which do not include fees or costs associated with campground reservations, cabin rentals or special tours.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • Tait is also largely known for his solo career, as well as his work in DC Talk alongside Kevin Max and TobyMac.
    — Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • These trailblazers are making reservations for a table for one or heading straight to the bar for a solo drink and meal.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
Definition of solo

Phrases Containing lone

Browse Nearby Words

lollygags
lone
loneliness
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Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lone for Spanish Speakers

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