Definition of lonesomenext
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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

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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 This isn’t alt-country so much as death-rattle country, as though Grigoroff and Adducci took Hank Williams’ most wincingly lonesome numbers as a starting point but figured the tempos were a little too fast. Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026 Historically, a relay system of 80 riders and hundreds of horses sped letters across the lonesome expanse between Missouri and California in just 10 days. Pierce Miletich, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2026 Bakers Donuts Inside a lonesome standalone shack on a stretch of Florin Road just east of Highway 99, Suzy Hem has been serving up colorful, fanciful doughnuts since 1985. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for lonesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lonesome
Adjective
  • His lonely life away from friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) included sleeping under the stairs.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
  • Thrown into the thick of a ballet season, the dancer explained that there wasn’t time to be lonely.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The van’s windows were smashed and a lone orange traffic cone sat on the hood.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • While South Africa and Ivory Coast thus far are the lone CAF squads to get bounced from the knockout stage, an impressive nine of 10 CAF squads made it to the knockout stage.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
  • These solitary, nonaggressive bees use small pieces of leaves to build their nests, causing only cosmetic harm to the plant.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen sports metallic cabinetry paired with dark marble countertops and backsplashes.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 June 2026
  • These include rolled or folded leaf blades, a dark or blue tinge to the foliage, or lingering footprints after walking on the lawn.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Two double bedrooms and a single bedroom are tucked at the end of the main floor, and are adjoined by a large outdoor terrace.
    Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • Six days after the Yankees' first 15 batters couldn't get a hit off Bennett, the lanky left-hander retired the Angels' first 13 batters before Vaughn Grissom's fifth-inning single.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Walking around the tiny outpost offers an understanding of just how vast and desolate this arid part of the country can be.
    Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
  • In the summer it had been packed with people out on the streets, by the fall is was desolate.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, Alfonzo’s first appearance, the culmination of nine tireless years, was somber , stricken by the grief overshadowing what should’ve been a joyous moment in the Dodgers’ to the Padres.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Flying straight from the merry Riverlands into the somber halls of Dragonstone is one hell of a comedown, but Daemon never struggles to access his dark side.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lonesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lonesome. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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