alone 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of alonenext
1
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
2
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 How to pronounce alone (audio)
1
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
2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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an alone time
a solitary time
a private time
a secluded time
a personal 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
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by Mr. Trump earlier this month, allocated an unprecedented amount of money towards immigration enforcement and border security, with $75 billion given to ICE alone. —July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025 Suzanne’s disappearance will reverberate for years, in much the same way that fissures in her and Jeanne’s upbringing echo throughout their adult lives (their mother died young, and their father was ill-equipped to parent alone). —Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Adjective
As a boy, Mohammed bin Salman played video games alone in his family palace because Saudi Arabia’s religious police permitted no public entertainment. —Karen Elliott House, Time, 10 July 2025 Britain’s royals aren’t alone in letting their trains go. —Ben Jones, CNN Money, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for alone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alone
  1. only
  2. lonely
  3. one
  4. separately
  5. solely
  6. lone
  7. just
  8. single
Adverb
  • The offer, which can be redeemed in-store or online, is only available through Sunday, July 20.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025
  • Buxton gets a breather after an eventful week Byron Buxton was out of the lineup Sunday, but only because Baldelli wanted to give him a breather.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 21 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Horgan’s Eva Garvey is funny and nurturing and grounded but also quite lonely and bitter, a character whose love and bile hold Bad Sisters together.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2025
  • Even the psychological pain can be hard to fathom, especially for those who have never truly been lonely.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Definition of lonely
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
Adverb
  • Non-eligible computer items for tax-free weekend include: Monitors, keyboards, speakers, and scanners sold separately from computers Individually purchased software or other software not part of a preloaded software package at the initial purchase of a computer.
    — Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • One of the signature events on PBS this fall will be Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, a six-part, 12-hour series produced separately from American Experience.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Definition of separately
Adverb
  • Employers are no longer hiring based solely on credentials.
    — Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Individuals suffering solely from mental illness will be excluded from eligibility.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of solely
Adjective
  • Gomez, the lone Democrat on the commission, said she was troubled by Paramount’s payment to settle a suit brought by President Trump and by other concessions.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 July 2025
  • Emergency responders arrived on the scene and assisted the lone survivor.
    — Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 23 July 2025
Definition of lone
Adverb
  • Thompson is the state’s longest-serving governor (just over 14 years, from 1987 to 2001) and the only one to win four elections in a row.
    — Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • After over 30 years in the spotlight, Whitley’s creative momentum is stronger than ever, and she’s just getting started.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 26 July 2025
Definition of just
Adjective
  • The deduction is completely phased out for single filers earning above $150,000 and married couples with incomes above $250,000.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • For a single taxpayer, the 12% tax rate applied on taxable income from $11,926 through $48,475 in 2025.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of single

Phrases Containing alone

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aloft
alone
aloneness
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Cite this Entry

“Alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alone. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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