lone wolf

[lohn woolf] / ˈloʊn ˈwʊlf /

NOUN

person who prefers to live or act alone

Synonyms

WEAK

hermit independent individualist lone hand loner nonconformist odd man out outsider pariah rogue elephant separatist solitary

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.

"They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too," the president said.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

Woods was seen as a lone wolf in his pomp.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025

"I spent much of my life as a lone wolf," she tells BBC News, "so hyper-independent that it became a defining trait."

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2025

So yeah, I think now the current misconception is that he was a lone wolf acting alone.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2024

He ran head down, low to the ground—in the manner of the lone wolf.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George