Definition of desolation
1 : the action of desolating the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I — D. F. Fleming
2a : grief, sadness … he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliotb : loneliness
3 : devastation, ruin a scene of utter desolation
4 : barren wasteland looked out across the desolation
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Examples of desolation in a Sentence
She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
photos that show the desolation of war
Recent Examples of desolation from the Web
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The goddess Venus loves the hunter Adonis, who is fatally injured during a hunting expedition, leaving Venus in desolation.
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But the family that runs the place is at home in the desolation.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desolation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of desolation
see 1desolate
First Known Use: 14th century
DESOLATION Defined for English Language Learners
desolation
playDefinition of desolation for English Language Learners
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: extreme sadness caused by loss or loneliness
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: the condition of a place or thing that has been damaged in such a way that it is no longer suitable for people to live in : the state or condition of being desolate
DESOLATION Defined for Kids
desolation
playDefinition of desolation for Students
1 : the state of being deserted or ruined Photos showed the desolation left by the fire.
2 : sadness resulting from grief or loneliness
Learn More about desolation
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See words that rhyme with desolation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for desolation Spanish Central: Translation of desolation Nglish: Translation of desolation for Spanish speakers
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