isolation

noun

ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce isolation (audio)
Definition of isolationnext
as in solitude
the state of being alone or kept apart from others after the long book tour, the author looked forward to the isolation of his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word isolation distinct from other similar nouns?

The words seclusion and solitude are common synonyms of isolation. While all three words mean "the state of one who is alone," isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

In what contexts can seclusion take the place of isolation?

The synonyms seclusion and isolation are sometimes interchangeable, but seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

When might solitude be a better fit than isolation?

While the synonyms solitude and isolation are close in meaning, solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of isolation Despite this severe double-ignition scenario, the battery structure contained the heat and prevented fire from cascading to nearby cells, demonstrating remarkable structural isolation. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 From Churchill onward, many British leaders clung to fantasies of global power and splendid isolation from Europe, fantasies that culminated in the disaster of Brexit. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Decades of international sanctions, condemnations, and isolation have not forced Pyongyang to denuclearize. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 That difference may help explain why loneliness affects health differently from social isolation. — The Conversation Us, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for isolation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for isolation
  1. solitude
  2. privacy
  3. loneliness
Noun
  • Even in the middle of her solitude, Karol made sure to invite collaborators into the studio to piece together the varied sounds that ripple and sway throughout No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Many followers pushed back, interpreting Brady’s solitude as peaceful me-time rather than sadness.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of solitude
Noun
  • Clifton Wade Tucker, 51, faces counts of possession of child pornography and invasion of privacy.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But the technology is also a snowballing privacy nightmare, according to critics who are fighting back with protests, legislation and websites dedicated to tracking the trackers.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of privacy
Noun
  • This method uses genetic variants statistically associated with a tendency towards loneliness or social isolation as proxies to investigate whether those experiences may affect health.
    — The Conversation US, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026
  • It was associated, however, with more concern about loneliness.
    — Diego Guevara Beltran, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of loneliness

Browse Nearby Words

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isolation
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Cite this Entry

“Isolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/isolation. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on isolation

Nglish: Translation of isolation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about isolation

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