Definitions

forlorn

[fawr-lawrn] / fɔrˈlɔrn /

ADJECTIVE

hopeless, inconsolable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depressed deserted desolate desperate despondent destitute helpless lonely miserable oppressed pathetic pitiful

WEAK

abandoned alone bereft blue cheerless comfortless cynical defenseless despairing destroyed disconsolate down and out dragging forgotten forsaken friendless fruitless futile godforsaken homeless in the dumps lonesome lost pessimistic pitiable solitary tragic unhappy vain weighed down woebegone wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful elated happy hopeful populated prosperous rich satisfied secure wealthy worthwhile

WEAK

comforted consolable joyful pleased

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ian Buruma uses this forlorn exhortation as the title of his book, “Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Remember 2013, when West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie got in his car and drove 120 miles from Birmingham to London in the forlorn hope he would sign for Queens Park Rangers.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Auger-Aliassime reeled off five successive games against an increasingly forlorn Bublik, taking his first match point with a thumping cross-court forehand.

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

Eyes forlorn, the 72-year-old cut the figure of someone who had seen years of suffering and hardship.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

The octopus was flopped and all forlorn on the bottom sand, trying to pry open a scallop.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

Vocabulary lists containing forlorn

Holes

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7

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