desolation
noun
des·o·la·tion
ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən 
ˌde-zə-
1
: the action of desolating
the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I—
D. F. Fleming
D. F. Fleming2
b
3
: devastation, ruin
a scene of utter desolation
4
: barren wasteland
looked out across the desolation
Synonyms
- blue devils
- blues
- dejection
- depression
- despond
- despondence
- despondency
- disconsolateness
- dispiritedness
- doldrums
- dolefulness
- downheartedness
- dreariness
- dumps
- forlornness
- gloom
- gloominess
- glumness
- heartsickness
- joylessness
- melancholy
- miserableness
- mopes
- mournfulness
- oppression
- sadness
- sorrowfulness
- unhappiness
Examples of desolation in a Sentence
She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
photos that show the desolation of war
Recent Examples on the Web
Her 2001 memoir, A Life’s Work, was savaged by the British press for its frank portrayal of the desolation of early motherhood.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
The story ends with a description of the misery and desolation that Mishima (the character, and, presumably, the author) has felt, his fundamental aloneness.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024
The current conflagration in Myanmar will lead to even more desolation.
—Derek J. Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2021
The air seems pervaded by palpable strains of both sensuality and desolation.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024
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Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
The story ends with a description of the misery and desolation that Mishima (the character, and, presumably, the author) has felt, his fundamental aloneness.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024
The current conflagration in Myanmar will lead to even more desolation.
—Derek J. Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2021
The air seems pervaded by palpable strains of both sensuality and desolation.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desolation
Articles Related to desolation
Dictionary Entries Near desolation
Cite this Entry
“Desolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desolation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desolation
noun
des·o·la·tion
ˌdes-ə-ˈlā-shən
ˌdez-
1
: the action of desolating
2
: sadness resulting from grief or loneliness
3
: the condition of being desolated : ruin
4
: lifeless land
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