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 first episode alone features Paul Dano, Peter Berg, Nicholas Stoller, Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron and Steve Buscemi, most of whom are wrapped up in Matt’s frantic quest to lock down a director for his first major project: a feature film adaptation of Kool-Aid. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025 Going Dormant for Development That works great for the first year, when every individual is just wandering alone in search of a meal. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Vance isn’t alone in undermining allied confidence. —Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025 Along with suggestions, other users noted that Amanda wasn’t alone in having gone through this experience. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 6 Mar. 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
  • And these defensive struggles were only exacerbated by the Clippers’ ability to capitalize on mistakes, scoring 29 points off 16 turnovers.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Three’s a trend, which can only mean shoppers are seriously onto something with these Old Navy Lululemon dupes.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Another remembers her lonely childhood with a single mother and resolved it with a partner from a large family and three children.
    — Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This distinction is important: your parent might live alone without feeling isolated, or conversely, feel lonely despite being surrounded by people.
    — Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 4 Mar. 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
  • Another survey by the National Sleep Foundation in 2020 found that one in four couples sleep separately, often due to issues like snoring, different schedules or infant care.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The Spa Located separately from the main reception area, the spa is its private oasis, where lush greenery drapes the space.
    — Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of separately
Adverb
  • Because Jalen Williams is a year older, is a year more physically mature and has grown into an All-Star in his own right, the bulk of the playoff offense won’t fall solely into the arms of NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
    — Tony Jones, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Typically, malicious extensions or apps are created solely to steal data, with their advertised functionality being an afterthought or simply a way to get listed in an official store.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of solely
Adjective
  • Moore is the lone woman in a boys’ club of celebrated actors, including Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and Kevin Spacey.
    — Katie Rife, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Atlanta's lone run came in the seventh inning when Luke Williams hit a solo home run to left field.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of lone
Adverb
  • The family-friendly outing comes just days after the 52-year-old Argo star — fresh off his split from estranged wife Jennifer Lopez — and his son sat courtside at the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game at L.A.'s Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The order comes just days after Trump’s heated exchange with Zelensky in the Oval Office.
    — Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of just
Adjective
  • If this were to happen in reality, the very first thing is that every single government, every single big business would invent an alternative.
    — Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Likewise, small business optimism saw its single largest one-month gain ever recorded, a 41-point jump.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of single

Phrases Containing alone

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Cite this Entry

“Alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alone. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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