Need another word for Lonely? Use these synonyms of Lonely from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
isolated
alone
solitary
desolate
forsaken
abandoned
friendless
companionless
lonesome
forlorn
dismal
dreary
gloomy
somber
melancholy
sad
sorrowful
mournful
tearful
unhappy
depressed
dejected
disheartened
disillusioned
dispirited
unhappy
blue
downcast
downhearted
despairing
hopeless
isolated
secluded
sequestered
hermitic
reclusive
introverted
reserved
withdrawn
shy
timid
bashful
reticent
distant
detached
uncommunicative
unsociable
antisocial
Meaning of Lonely
The primary meaning of "Lonely" is feeling sad because one has no friends or company.
Definitions
- Feeling sad because one has no friends or company, or because one is apart from others
- Giving a feeling of isolation or solitude
- Having no one to talk to or associate with
Etymology of Lonely
The word "Lonely" has its roots in Old English "lēn" or "lēne" meaning "solitary, alone", and the suffix "-ly" which forms an adjective
The word evolved from Middle English "loneli" or "lonely" with the same meaning, and has been used in the English language since the 16th century to describe a state of being alone or isolated
Example Uses
- The old man felt lonely after his wife passed away and had to move to a nursing home
- She was lonely in the big city, having just moved from a small town where she knew everyone
- The song expressed the singer's feelings of loneliness and isolation after a breakup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
social
companionable
friendly
gregarious
outgoing
sociable
affable
convivial
genial
warm
welcoming
inclusive
connected
united
joined
linked
attached
affiliated
associated
accompanied
attended
surrounded
crowded
populous
thronged
bustling
lively
cheerful
happy
joyful
jubilant
ecstatic
elated
euphoric