ALONE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'alone' distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

Q: When can 'desolate' be used instead of 'alone'?

The meanings of desolate and alone largely overlap; however, desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement. // desolate after her brother's death

Q: When is 'forlorn' a more appropriate choice than 'alone'?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear. // a forlorn lost child

Q: How does the word 'lone' relate to other synonyms for 'alone'?

Lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone . // a lone robin pecking at the lawn

Q: How do 'lonely' and 'solitary' relate to one another, in the sense of 'alone'?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship. // felt lonely and forsaken

Q: In what contexts can 'lonesome' take the place of 'alone'?

The words lonesome and alone can be used in similar contexts, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy. // an only child often leads a lonesome life

Q: When could 'solitary' be used to replace 'alone'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone , 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

alone 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of alone next

as in independently

without aid or support completely new to the big city, she nevertheless managed to find her way home alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in only

for nothing other than would willingly play professional baseball for the sheer enjoyment alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alone

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlōn

as in lonely

not being in the company of others no one realized the boy was alone in his room so they all left for the movies without him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in one

being the one or ones of a class with no other members he is alone among the actors of his generation in his exceptional ability to play both comedic and serious parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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an alone time

a solitary time

a private time

a secluded time

a personal time

an uninterrupted time

an alone group

a solitary group

an individual group

a separated group

a singular group

a separate group

an alone entity

a solo entity

a complete entity

a sole entity

an unique entity

a single entity

an alone system

a solo system

a solitary system

an individual system

an independent system

a separate system

an alone product

a single product

a complete product

a separate product

an independent product

a whole product

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of alone are desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, lone, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," 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 can desolate be used instead of alone?

The meanings of desolate and alone 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 alone?

In some situations, the words forlorn and alone are roughly equivalent. However, 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 alone?

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

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

How do lonely and solitary relate to one another, in the sense of alone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

In what contexts can lonesome take the place of alone?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When could solitary be used to replace alone?

While in some cases nearly identical to alone, 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 alone

Adverb

Flashback: Over the years, factors that may have impacted Black med school student admission rates include: The influential 1910 Flexner Report: Without it, 29% more African American physicians would've graduated in 2019 alone, one JAMA study estimates. —

Steph Solis, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025 The government cannot and should not undertake this massive effort alone. —

Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Musk has been essentially live-tweeting his Department of Government Efficiency efforts targeting agencies -- posting nearly 200 times in a 24-hour period alone from Tuesday into Wednesday, according to a review by ABC News. —

Will Steakin, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025 Rogan wasn’t alone in travelling from progressivism to Trumpism. —

Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone

Adverb

Cartels will only be put out of business by legalizing drugs and immigration, not by declaring war on them.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Or does so only briefly in the ambiguous ending, when Sofia throws off the last vestiges of her passivity and forces her recalcitrant mother into a reckoning with her condition.

— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025