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 In his closing arguments, the assistant district attorney suggested that Salley was the lone shooter. —John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025 Flagg lived up to all of the hype in his lone season at Duke. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 It should be noted Nate Morris, the bomb-throwing Republican Lexington businessman, has not yet released his fundraising totals after entering the race in late June but is the lone candidate to have bought TV time for his ads up to this point. —Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 July 2025 The Unified Government isn’t the lone taxing entity in Wyandotte County to submit a notice of intent to collect new revenues in the coming budget year. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 17 July 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
  • Guests are led behind a velvet curtain and through a hidden bookcase into the NAVI lounge inside Post Oak Hotel, the only Forbes Five-Star hotel in Texas.
    — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The winner of the championship is not the only concern; in a full season format, 2nd has value over 4th has value over 10th has value over 17th.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • The deduction is completely phased out for single filers earning above $150,000 and married couples with incomes above $250,000.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Support individual stems with single bamboo stakes; multiple stems may benefit from a grow-through grid or tomato cage.
    — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • They are known to be solitary and nocturnal, but can sometimes be found in small family groups.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • Regents also moved to name interim Chancellor John Zerwas sole finalist for the system's chancellor position.
    — Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Her next 20-point game will give her sole possession of the record.
    — Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of sole
Adjective
  • But men and women who are flying solo—without a spouse—typically report their lives to be less meaningful and more lonely.
    — Brad Wilcox, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025
  • The series is handsomely composed — NFL Films knows how to capture sunlight slanting through shoulder pads and the lonely geometry of empty stadiums.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members, and her special cat, Corrie.
    — Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The commissioner on Thursday sent a memo to the city clerk, the city manager and other commissioners, requesting to hold a special commission meeting to discuss the city’s recent election date changes.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • The company had no traditional engineering team in its earliest days — just a solo founder using no-code tools and AI APIs to launch an early prototype.
    — Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Last but not least, luxe hostels are a solid option that appeal to people of all ages, from families to solo travelers.
    — Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 25 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lone for Spanish Speakers

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