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

Russell slotted over the conversion and his late missed penalty was irrelevant as Scotland celebrated and Wales were left forlorn.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

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

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

Boo gives me a forlorn wave, tears running down her cheeks.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Vocabulary lists containing forlorn

Holes

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7

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