lone

adjective

ˈlōn How to pronounce lone (audio)
Definition of lonenext
1
as in only
being the one or ones of a class with no other members the lone ripe apple in the entire bag

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in single
not being in the company of others just one lone cow in the middle of the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lone distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lone are alone, desolate, forlorn, lonely, lonesome, and solitary. While all these words mean "isolated from others," lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

When would alone be a good substitute for lone?

The words alone and lone can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is it sensible to use desolate instead of lone?

The meanings of desolate and lone 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 lone?

Although the words forlorn and lone have much in common, forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

How are the words lonely and solitary related as synonyms of lone?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When might lonesome be a better fit than lone?

The synonyms lonesome and lone are sometimes interchangeable, but lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

When can solitary be used instead of lone?

In some situations, the words solitary and lone are roughly equivalent. 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 lone The Rebels’ veteran guards are all sure-handed, and their lone interior force, Malik Dia, never coughs it up despite using a ton of possessions in the paint. —Jim Root, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Trump is attempting to remove Cathy Harris, the lone Democrat on the merit board who is currently still serving pending a legal battle. —Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Orlando then welcomes the Kings and the Clippers for their lone trips to Central Florida before Jamahl Mosley‘s squad plays four of its last six games on the road. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 Every male in the crowd competes to align their tails with the lone female red-sided garter snake for a chance at copulation. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lone
  1. only
  2. single
  3. one
  4. solitary
  5. sole
  6. lonely
  7. special
  8. solo
Adjective
  • Toni wasn't the only sister to pay tribute with a video.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Jordan Burks had the only double-double of the night for either team, with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • The girl responded that the issue is that every single video has her in it.
    — Karen Fratti, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Families can make use of all three rooms with space for privacy and quiet time at the end of the day, while couples or single residents will enjoy utilizing the bonus living areas.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    — SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    — Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Definition of one
Adjective
  • Paving the way for the franchise, the first story begins with a solitary ogre living in a swamp, whose life is disrupted when a horde of misfit fairy-tale creatures are exiled to his land by the villainous Lord Farquaad (played by John Lithgow).
    — Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • In January 2024, the man’s father died, leaving Sullivan as his sole caretaker.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The point-foot setup is ideal for precise legged control and agile movements, while the sole configuration mimics humanoid walking for a smoother, more natural gait.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of sole
Adjective
  • The results were conclusive: More than two-thirds (69%) of seniors felt lonely a majority of the time (50% of the time or more) before moving into a senior living community.
    — Sara Zeff Geber, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Being lonely is terrible for a person’s mental health.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • The remaining three are covers that hold special places in his heart.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Photos and videos: Family photos, vacation videos, special events like weddings or graduations and other personal memories that cannot be recreated.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • The solo shot gave the Yankees instant offense in a 4-2, season-opening victory.
    — Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The tune marks Sting’s fourth solo appearance on both tallies.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of solo

Phrases Containing lone

Browse Nearby Words

lollygags
lone
loneliness
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Cite this Entry

“Lone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lone. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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