loneliness

/'lounlinis/

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Thân thiện

A child sits alone on a park bench, feeling a deep sense of loneliness.

Definition

Noun:
- A state of solitude or isolation: The condition of being alone, physically separated from others.
- A feeling of sadness or distress: The emotional state arising from a lack of companionship or from being forsaken.
- A tendency to seek solitude: A personal disposition or preference for being alone.

Usage and Examples

Describing a state of being alone:
- The loneliness of the remote cabin was both peaceful and intimidating.
- After his friends moved away, he experienced a deep sense of loneliness.
Describing an emotional feeling:
- Her loneliness was palpable after the loss of her pet.
- He felt a profound loneliness in the crowded city.
Describing a personal disposition:
- His natural loneliness made him a keen observer of people. (Note: This usage is less common; "solitariness" is often more precise for disposition.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

"The loneliness of command": A phrase describing the inherent isolation and weight of responsibility borne by a leader who must make final decisions alone.
"Existential loneliness": A philosophical concept referring to the fundamental isolation of the individual human condition, separate from temporary feelings of being alone.

Variants and Related Words

Lone (adj): Being alone; solitary. (e.g., )
Lonesome (adj): Causing or feeling a sense of loneliness; desolate. (e.g., )
Aloneness (n): The state of being alone, often with a neutral or positive connotation. (e.g., )

Synonyms

Solitude: The state of being alone, often by choice and viewed positively.
Isolation: The physical separation from others, which may or may not cause emotional distress.
Desolation: A state of complete emptiness or destruction that can include intense loneliness.
Forlornness: A feeling of sadness and loneliness, often due to abandonment.

Antonyms

Companionship: The state of having company or friends.
Togetherness: The state of being close to other people, both physically and emotionally.
Camaraderie: Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.

Idioms and Common Phrases

To die of loneliness: An exaggerated expression meaning to suffer greatly from a lack of companionship.
A loneliness that eats away at you: Describes a persistent, corrosive feeling of isolation.

A child sits alone on a park bench, feeling a deep sense of loneliness.

Noun

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