lonesome

adjective

ˈlōn(t)-səm How to pronounce lonesome (audio)
Definition of lonesomenext
1
as in lonely
sad from lack of companionship or separation from others a lonesome kitten left at the pound by its hard-hearted owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lone
not being in the company of others a lonesome cypress tree on a rocky, windswept point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the playground seems especially lonesome now that there are no young children in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lonesome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lonesome are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When is alone a more appropriate choice than lonesome?

In some situations, the words alone and lonesome 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 lonesome?

While in some cases nearly identical to lonesome, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of lonesome?

Although the words forlorn and lonesome have much in common, 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 lonesome?

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 lonesome?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When can solitary be used instead of lonesome?

The meanings of solitary and lonesome largely overlap; 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 lonesome Like being in the corner office, swimming can largely feel like a lonesome single-person sport (the 1500m freestyle is 30 laps back and forth for over 15 minutes). —Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 June 2025 All these decades the educational establishment left Hillsdale College by its lonesome to reject federal funds in exchange for institutional independence. —Amity Shlaes, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025 By the end of the night, however, any external, discerning traits fade away, leaving Scott by his lonesome. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025 Williams knew the self was something else—the basic, lonesome unit of tragedy. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
  1. lonely
  2. lone
  3. bleak
  4. solitary
  5. dark
  6. single
  7. desolate
  8. solo
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
  • In other instances, a lone fish can end up in its own cave.
    — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The lone Chelsea goal was scored by Cole Palmer (29’).
    — Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of lone
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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Each breeding season, male leopard seals dive beneath the ice and repeat long, solitary sequences of five distinct call types for hours on end.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • The night serum visibly smooths wrinkles, reduces fine lines, and soothes the appearance of dark circles and uneven skin tone.
    — Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • These acts are punishable crimes, and every single threat will be met with the full force of the law.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Midong solar project is the world's largest single-solar power producer, potentially generating enough electricity for 5 million households.
    — Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of single
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
  • While Matthew has pursued solo projects, his true passion lies in collaborating with his brothers.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Keep this cake around for guests or for accompanying a very satisfying, solo cup of coffee.
    — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of solo

Browse Nearby Words

loners
lonesome
lonesomeness
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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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