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
Each of the three sections of the novel are narrated by extremely solitary voices: the Brand Anthropologist, the Creative Director, and the Future Leader. —Hazlitt, 9 July 2025 He was told to sit on his bunk for the count, an interminable process that involved tallying every prisoner on the farm, from the men locked down in solitary cells to those wrangling cattle in far‑flung fields. —Literary Hub july 8, Literary Hub, 8 July 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
  • 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
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
Noun
  • Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.
    — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
  • The Asian hermit spider’s unique adaptation might seem strange to some and brilliant to others.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of hermit
Adjective
  • Benetti was far from the only person in the sports world to poke fun at the moment.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • Following Marxist doctrine, members believed in violence as the only path to change.
    — Katja Hoyer, semafor.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Buckley’s single reenters the Hot Rock Songs list at No. 16, a new all-time peak, and nearly matches its best showing on the other ranking, missing its No. 22 high point by one slot in just its second turn on that roster.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Machado began the bottom of the sixth with a single grounded through the middle of the infield on the first pitch of his at-bat.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 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
  • The company had no traditional engineering team in its earliest days — just a solo founder using no-code tools and AI APIs to launch an early prototype.
    — Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Last but not least, luxe hostels are a solid option that appeal to people of all ages, from families to solo travelers.
    — Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Definition of solo
Adjective
  • The concert featured a special screening at the Winnetu Resort on Martha’s Vineyard, with the Cape Code orchestra playing along to the movie score and even a surprise visit by actor Richard Dreyfuss.
    — Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • But that Berger has this moment is special for myriad reasons.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 July 2025
Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

solitariness
solitary
solitude
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Cite this Entry

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

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