SOLITARY Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: How do 'lonely' and 'solitary' relate to one another?

Lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship. // felt lonely and forsaken

Q: 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

solitary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsä-lə-ˌter-ē

Definition of solitary

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

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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

His obsessive court rituals — including meticulously aligning his water bottles and executing his precise pre-point routines — were not merely superstitions, but coping mechanisms in a high-stress, solitary sport. — Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 These two solitary characters who don’t have a lot of people around them, that’s not a very dramatic premise. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Sweat was then confined to 23-hour-a-day solitary at Five Points Correctional Center, though he was subsequently transferred to Attica Correctional after trying to bribe Five Points officials. — Kenny Herzog, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024 Paul was sent into solitary for not having his shirt on in his cell. — David Trone, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for solitary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitary

Adjective

On a recent swampy day in July, a lone tourist was posing for a photo in front of one of the historic townhouses along Columbia Heights, the most picturesque street in Brooklyn’s most picturesque neighborhood.

— Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
As usual with this pitching staff, the lone bright spot has been Logan Webb.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of lone

Adjective

If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Many become lonelier and less equipped to navigate conflict, disappointment, and repair elsewhere.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

Chaos fatigue isn’t the only side dish being served with the recent rash of court orders; chaos consequences appear to be on a platter as well.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Blodgett isn’t the only diabetic child to die after a stay at an Arizona group home.

— Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of only

Adjective

Jeremiah Johnson, vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, said asylum rates appear to be one factor, but the dismissals cannot be attributed to a single reason.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
That represented Newcastle’s highest gate of the Premier League era — and also the most fans who had attended a single game inside St James’ Park in more than half a century.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

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

For solo travelers especially, this feels like an important upgrade to your luggage lineup.

— Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Before taking on her first solo anchoring role, Hylton frequently served as a fill-in anchor across the network’s morning, dayside and primetime programming.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of solo

Adjective

An 85-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter gave Oregon a 27-20 lead, and after Boise State battled back to go ahead 34-27, the Broncos’ special teams unit gave up a game-tying 100-yard kickoff return.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
On the other hand, Sanders and the Buffaloes will need to work on special teams despite Carter’s brilliant rush off the edge during that field goal block.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of special

Browse Nearby Words

solitariness

solitary

solitude

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Style

“Solitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitary. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of solitary

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noun

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