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 Gillan’s Felicia, who is both a despondent nurse and a lonely divorcée, nicely illustrates why. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 That is, until the 15-year-old social outcast and failing student falls in love with a lovely, but lonely first-grade teacher twice his age (played by Olivia Williams), who also happens to be the object of wealthy industrialist Herman Blume’s affection. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025 Some victims were elderly or lonely, getting involved in a fraudulent relationship formed online. —Kristine Frazao, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025 Set in a town ruled by absurd karate law, the film watches as a lonely teen forms an unlikely bond with the ghost of his late father’s favorite action hero. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 May 2025 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • The original film followed a group of high schoolers who find an unlikely, intergenerational friend in Sue Ann Ellington, a lonesome veterinarian and devoted party animal played by Spencer.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 4 June 2025
  • This has often been a lonesome endeavor, but Trump’s assault on democracy, financed by some of America’s richest people, has fortified the group’s arguments.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Definition of lonesome
Adjective
  • The somewhat bleak outlook was laid bare Tuesday night after the USMNT was thrashed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
  • Instead of learning from this bleak recent history, Americans are now painfully absorbing this lesson by repeating it.
    — Jonathan Haskel, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025
Definition of bleak
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
  • When The Last of Us premiered back in 2023, there was massive chatter surrounding Pascal and his penchant for rescuing desolate children in TV shows.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • See a camera operator following Snook to a desolate corner?
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • Named for the distinctive dark stripes running across the back of its head, this medium-sized goose is specially adapted for one of the most extreme migrations in the animal kingdom.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • White, pale blue, gray, and green swimsuits can be some of the hardest swimsuits to spot in a pool, while darker colors, like navy and black, can be difficult to detect in open water.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Definition of dark
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
  • There was not a single person in that caucus that could defend that vote.
    — Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Amtrak is forlorn that its Heartland Flyer service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth will not be able to continue unless the Texas Department of Transportation forks over more money.
    — Dominic Pino, National Review, 12 June 2025
  • Baker worked at the Bee for two years in college, escorting forlorn children to the crying room.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 May 2025
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 19 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lonely for Spanish Speakers

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