Synonyms for loneliness
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Aloneness — the condition or state of being alone or having no companions
solitude, aloneness, isolation, seclusion, solitariness, friendlessness, loneness dated
2. Lonesomeness — A feeling of depression resulting from being alone or from having no companions
lonesomeness, ellingness dated
3. Desolation
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
A feeling of depression resulting from being alone or from having no companions.
The loneliness resulting from the loss of loved ones, lack of purpose in life, and social discrimination is a real inner hell.
- n. 2
The condition or state of being alone or having no companions.
- n. 3
The state of being unfrequented or devoid of human activity (of a place or time).
Forms
- Plural
- lonelinesses → solitudes, alonenesses, isolations, seclusions…
Choose the right word
There may be loneliness without solitude, as amid an unsympathizing crowd, and solitude without loneliness, as when one is glad to be alone.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- isolation I find peace in isolation rather than socializing.
- seclusion I actively choose companionship over seclusion.
- aloneness Aloneness is not quite the same as loneliness.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| loneliness | rising | |
| isolation | steady | |
| seclusion | rising | |
| aloneness | rising | |
| solitariness | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- solitude3, loneness
- 9 letters
- isolation4, seclusion3, aloneness
- 10 letters
- desolation4, ellingness
- 11 letters
- forlornness
- 12 letters
- lonesomeness, solitariness5
- 14 letters
- friendlessness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (solitude3 = 3 syllables).