isolated

Far from other people or places, or having little contact with others.

• They live in an isolated village.
• She felt isolated after her friends moved away.
• Heavy snow left the farm isolated from nearby towns.

How to use it: isolated from someone/something (The village is isolated from the rest of the country.)

Similar words: remote, secluded, cut off

Opposites: connected

Common phrases: isolated village, feel isolated, isolated from someone

You feel alone because people around you do not share your ideas or experiences.

• I feel isolated at work.
• He felt isolated because nobody shared his interests.
• People with unusual experiences can become isolated within their own communities.

How to use it: isolated among someone (She felt isolated among colleagues who did not understand her beliefs.)

Similar words: alone, alienated

Common phrases: feel isolated, socially isolated, isolated among colleagues

Happening only once or separately, rather than as part of a repeated problem or pattern.

• It was an isolated incident.
• Doctors reported a few isolated cases.
• This isolated mistake does not reflect her usual work.

Similar words: one-off, single

Opposites: repeated, recurring

Common phrases: isolated incident, isolated case, isolated example

To keep someone or something separate from others so they cannot meet or affect each other.

• The hospital isolated the patient.
• Thick walls isolated us from the noise.
• Researchers isolate each sample before testing it.

How to use it: isolate someone/something from someone/something (The walls isolate the room from outside noise.)

Similar words: separate, cut off, segregate

Opposites: connect, integrate

Common phrases: isolate someone, isolate a patient, isolate something from