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.

He performed a backflip for the crowd's entertainment, but it seemed like a forlorn call to the good times of only last week.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“America is rich and fat and very, very noticeable in this world. It is a forlorn hope that we should be left alone.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

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

Hamilton, delayed by his penalty, with which he vehemently disagreed over the radio, was a rather forlorn eighth, with Ocon and Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto completing the top 10.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2025

Next he turned his withering gaze upon the forlorn foreman.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Vocabulary lists containing forlorn

Holes

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7

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