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 Obviously, the lone goal for the Chiefs is to not just get back to the big game, but to win it again. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 That singing Harry Styles to her one lone watermelon would not encourage it to ripen any faster. —Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 May 2025 For months, Gomez has been the lone voice of dissent at the FCC. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 Brennan Johnson scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute after an incidental deflection off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, sending Spurs to next season’s Champions League. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 May 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
  • First, as Jencks never tired of pointing out, pluralism is the only true majority politics.
    — Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • The only way in was through the resale market, where just hours before first pitch on Friday, the lowest price (fees and taxes included) for a pair of tickets on StubHub was $209.52.
    — Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • But seeing that ship in space today was a hell of a moment for us, so congratulations to every single person who put time, effort, sweat, anything, into that rocket.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2025
  • The Cubs built a 2-0 lead in the first against Germán Márquez when Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single and Crow-Armstrong hit into a run-scoring forceout.
    — Gavin Dorsey, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 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
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
  • Well Studio, and distributed by Janus Films and Sideshow Pictures, Flow follows a solitary cat that loses its home following a great flood.
    — Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Definition of solitary
Adjective
  • Amid their imprisonment, the couple's daughter, Savannah Chrisley, had become the sole caretaker of Grayson and Chloe, 12, at just 25 years old.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Unfortunately this would prove to be their sole win on the weekend.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of sole
Adjective
  • Set in a town ruled by absurd karate law, the film watches as a lonely teen forms an unlikely bond with the ghost of his late father’s favorite action hero.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 May 2025
  • If there was no Stitch, Lilo would have remained a lonely girl, and Nani silently suffering from her massive responsibilities.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • The news arrives just days before Duran Duran kick off their European and U.K. tour with Rodgers and CHIC joining as special guests.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 June 2025
  • McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sánchez Vidal is a special correspondent.
    — Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • Tait is also largely known for his solo career, as well as his work in DC Talk alongside Kevin Max and TobyMac.
    — Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • These trailblazers are making reservations for a table for one or heading straight to the bar for a solo drink and meal.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of lone for Spanish Speakers

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