lonely

adjective

ˈlōn-lē How to pronounce lonely (audio)
Definition of lonelynext
1
as in lone
not being in the company of others a single lonely cactus in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lonesome
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others I was lonely when I first got to Los Angeles, but I soon made friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the lonely streets of a honky-tonk beach town in the off-season

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonely distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonely are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is it sensible to use alone instead of lonely?

In some situations, the words alone and lonely are roughly equivalent. 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

When could desolate be used to replace lonely?

The synonyms desolate and lonely are sometimes interchangeable, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Where would forlorn be a reasonable alternative to lonely?

The words forlorn and lonely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lonely?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of lonely?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When would solitary be a good substitute for lonely?

While the synonyms solitary and lonely are close in meaning, 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 lonely This relationship brings another level to the film, as Kotevska weaves in the titular folktale of Silyan, about another lonely man and his stork. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 For someone already feeling lonely, depressed or emotionally overwhelmed, turning to AI for connection can backfire. —Brianna Hardcastle, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026 Young people are growing up in a climate that can feel cruel, divided or lonely. —Julie Ruth Owen, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026 Dissidence might seem to be a lonely act. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lonely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonely
  1. lone
  2. lonesome
  3. bleak
  4. solitary
  5. desolate
  6. dark
  7. single
  8. forlorn
Adjective
  • The Hawks finished with two wins over the Heat and the Jazz, with their lone loss to the Hornets.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • When Democrats attempted to install a map drawing out the lone Republican congressman from the Old Line State during the initial redistricting period this decade, the state’s high court struck it down, resulting in the current map that maintains the lone GOP seat.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • Is staying in a lonesome Alpine chalet a bit of an extreme choice to avoid a rowdy après-ski bender?
    — Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Two scenic roads lead to this mountain village, one from Rustaq and the other from Al Hamra, and both cut between the fierce, lonesome peaks of the Hajar Mountains.
    — Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of lonesome
Adjective
  • Internet connectivity has been partially restored, but experts are warning that, even on the other side of the digital blackout, the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • In Havana, reaction to the president's upcoming contingency plan to grapple with fuel shortages was bleak.
    — Orlando Matos, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Groundhogs are generally solitary creatures that emerge in midwinter to find a mate.
    — Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The forensic complexity of Bustamante’s often solitary detective work contributed to a 21-month delay in what many believed would be a prosecution.
    — Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • Tennyson spent the rest of his life returning to that desolate seascape, literally but also literarily.
    — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The word that came to mind was desolate.
    — Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • The activist also went full glam on her flight, looking radiant in bronzy makeup, complete with dark eyeliner, fluttery eyelashes, fluffy eyebrows, luminous skin, and glossy lips.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • More dark, romantic beauty inspiration.
    — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
    — Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 8 Feb. 2026
  • In this drama series, two friends recently divorced and widowed explore their new single lives with teenage children while questioning the possibility of a romantic future.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of single
Adjective
  • The horse's forlorn expression appears to have resonated with Chinese social media users, who've been bringing the plush toy to work and school to express discontent with a relentless work culture.
    — Emma Li, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • There’s ample gore and jumpy moments, but the true scariness here is of the forlorn kind; leads Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen play the mounting nightmare with ache and desperation, elevating the emotional tenor of a dolefully eerie movie.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of forlorn

Browse Nearby Words

loneliness
lonely
loner
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Cite this Entry

“Lonely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonely. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lonely

Nglish: Translation of lonely for Spanish Speakers

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