solitude

noun

ˈsä-lə-ˌtüd How to pronounce solitude (audio)
Definition of solitudenext
as in privacy
the state of being alone or kept apart from others sought the kind of solitude where his thoughts would be his only companions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word solitude distinct from other similar nouns?

The words isolation and seclusion are common synonyms of solitude. While all three words mean "the state of one who is alone," solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

When is it sensible to use isolation instead of solitude?

The words isolation and solitude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

When can seclusion be used instead of solitude?

The words seclusion and solitude can be used in similar contexts, but seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

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 solitude The Libra moon encourages rest, solitude and a little emotional housekeeping before your birthday season kicks off later this month. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026 Now, all James wants to do is hop in his Cessna, fly deep into the Alaskan wilderness with his best friend, drink some beer, and enjoy the solitude of nature. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026 The young artist who arrived for solitude and serious work has become caretaker of someone else’s daughter, someone else’s property, someone else’s peace of mind. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 Long before today’s visitors made their way to Wudang, the mountain drew people seeking solitude and spiritual cultivation. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solitude
  1. privacy
  2. isolation
  3. loneliness
  4. aloneness
Noun
  • As for privacy, Mayer said users can grant Dazzle full, partial, or no access to their photos and images that are sensitive are immediately discarded.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • California is among the states that successfully sued, in part by arguing that turning over the data would violate state privacy laws.
    — SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of privacy
Noun
  • Additional safety features include gas detection, electrical isolation monitoring, as well as technology designed to prevent battery failures from spreading between cells.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Likewise, Antarctic workers have been studied to learn about the psychological aspects of long-term isolation and small-group dynamics in stressful situations, another key aspect of space exploration.
    — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of isolation
Noun
  • Yet Seghers deftly exposes the insecurity, loneliness, and longing that hide behind masculinist poses.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His loneliness is somewhat mitigated by the other sentient AIs he’s uploaded to his mindspace, envisioned by creator Terry Matalas (Syfy’s 12 Monkeys) as a big white house on a purposefully digital green lawn.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of loneliness
Noun
  • In the second half of the sentence, the speaker’s tone drops in a painful admission of their aloneness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • During this hour in his presence a very tangible sense of aloneness enveloped me.
    — Chris Ware, The New York Review of Books, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of aloneness

Browse Nearby Words

solitary
solitude
solo
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Cite this Entry

“Solitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solitude. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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