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Showing results for desolation. Search instead for desolations/4.
Definitions

desolation

[des-uh-ley-shuhn] / ˌdɛs əˈleɪ ʃən /
NOUN
uninhabitated area; barrenness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleakness devastation isolation loneliness solitude
STRONG
bareness desert dissolution extinction forlornness ruin solitariness waste wildness wreck
Antonyms
STRONG
construction creation development
WEAK
cheer civilization comfort happiness joy
NOUN
distress, unhappiness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anguish despair loneliness misery sadness sorrow
STRONG
dejection gloom gloominess melancholy mourning woe wretchedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheer gladness happiness joy joyfulness
WEAK
civilization comfort

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.

Their desolation contrasts with hives of construction activity nearby, where cranes tower over designer redevelopments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

This was particularly the case with the desert, whose desolation and desperation gave shape to the film's third act and the journey its characters were on.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Who better to limn out disgust and desolation now?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

The people of the world saw their planet as the astronauts saw it - fragile and beautiful, shining in the desolation of space.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025

We go about our business in the sight of the desolation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

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