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Showing results for desolate.
Definitions

desolate

[des-uh-lit, des-uh-leyt] / ˈdɛs ə lɪt, ˈdɛs əˌleɪt /
ADJECTIVE
unused, barren
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bare bleak derelict dreary empty isolated lonely lonesome uninhabited
STRONG
abandoned desert destroyed forsaken ruined waste
WEAK
godforsaken lorn solitary unfrequented unoccupied vacant wild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
befriended bright full inhabited loved pleasant populated
STRONG
cherished intact protected restored saved
WEAK
cheerful cultivated happy pleased used
ADJECTIVE
depressed, despondent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak forlorn lonely lonesome
STRONG
abandoned black blue dejected down forsaken hurting
WEAK
acheronian bereft cheerless comfortless companionless disconsolate dismal dolorous downcast funereal gloomy in a blue funk inconsolable joyless lorn melancholy miserable somber tragic wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
befriended cheerful loved
STRONG
cherished clean happy joyous
WEAK
cultivated pleased populated used
VERB
ravage, destroy
Synonyms
STRONG
depopulate desecrate despoil devastate devour pillage plunder ruin sack waste
WEAK
depredate lay low lay waste spoliate
Antonyms
STRONG
build construct improve protect save

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.

The 36-year-old must constantly scan the desolate, drought-ravaged terrain for loose wires and suspicious debris.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

It isn’t perfect symmetry—Indiana football was much more desolate than Nebraska hoops, and now the Hoosiers are roaring atop college football entering Friday’s playoff semifinal against Oregon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Streets and sidewalks that have been desolate all day are suddenly bustling with people, seemingly drawn in by the glowing light.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Or your favorite vacation spot might be the perfect beach town in the summer, but desolate and lonely in the winter.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 29, 2025

She could not have conceived of a more desolate cortege.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.