solitary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsä-lə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce solitary (audio)
Definition of solitarynext
1
as in lone
being the one or ones of a class with no other members a solitary example of truth-stretching is hardly grounds for branding the man a congenital liar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lonely
not being in the company of others a solitary sailboat was the only object on the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

solitary

2 of 2

noun

as in hermit
a person who lives away from others weary of European civilization, the painter Paul Gauguin famously abandoned France to become a solitary in the South Seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solitary distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

When can alone be used instead of solitary?

The meanings of alone and solitary largely overlap; 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

In what contexts can desolate take the place of solitary?

The words desolate and solitary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

When is it sensible to use forlorn instead of solitary?

Although the words forlorn and solitary 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 solitary?

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?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

When is lonesome a more appropriate choice than solitary?

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

an only child often leads a lonesome life

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 solitary
Adjective
Inter Speaking of defensive solidity, Inter have the best record in the Champions League, with a solitary goal conceded in nine matches. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025 However, this practicality reinforced the idea that cooking was a solitary task meant for women. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
Former convicts also said that men in solitary had to put away their beds from waking call to sleep time, forcing them to stand or sit for most of the day. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The changes allow inmates in solitary to participate in additional rehabilitative programming and shave time off their isolation by earning credits. —Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for solitary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitary
  1. lone
  2. lonely
  3. hermit
  4. only
  5. single
  6. one
  7. solo
  8. special
Adjective
  • As always, Kylian Mbappe is the lone number 9 up front.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky defied Trump's guidance and was the lone House Republican to oppose the bill.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of lone
Adjective
  • Retirement has been described by many who struggle as being incredibly lonely.
    — Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of lonely
Noun
  • George lives something of a hermit’s life in Hudson.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The monastery is also home to pink-robe-wearing novice monks, who train at Taung Kalat, and yetis, or hermit monks, who glide in their peaked caps in quiet contemplation across the precariously balanced complex.
    — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
Definition of hermit
Adjective
  • The Rays aren’t definitively the only hold-up, though.
    — Evan Drellich, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • His only real competition for the honor is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, but even then, Gilgeous-Alexander was a clear frontrunner at that point.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • The slugger hasn't hit over .200 in a single season since 2019.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Loftis appeared in two games in 2024 as the third-string quarterback, not throwing a single pass, before hitting the portal and committing to Albin as a redshirt sophomore.
    — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 17 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
  • Despite winning the Academy’s gold medal in 1925 and earning critical praise for her first solo exhibition at Gurlitt’s, Berlin, in 1930, Laserstein took on an array of jobs creating decorative art and illustrating an anatomy text.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Prince burst onto the music scene with For You in 1978, one year before Jackson came into his own as a solo creative force with Off the Wall.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of solo
Adjective
  • The Raiders view him as a high-level backup and core special teams player, according to a league source.
    — Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The deal also includes a one hour standup special for Hinchcliffe.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of special

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Cite this Entry

“Solitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitary. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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