wasteland

noun

waste·​land ˈwāst-ˌland 

also -lənd

1

: barren or uncultivated land

a desert wasteland

2

: an ugly often devastated or barely inhabitable place or area

3

: something (such as a way of life) that is spiritually and emotionally arid and unsatisfying

Synonyms of wasteland

• desert
• barren

Examples of wasteland in a Sentence

The outskirts of the city became a grim industrial wasteland.

That part of the country is a cultural wasteland.

the vast wasteland of television

Recent Examples on the Web

Drymon produces a colorful, witty wasteland that’s distinguished by the director’s impressive history and unique comedic flare as a storyboard artist. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025

The new season takes viewers on a journey through the Mojave wasteland to the post-apocalyptic city of New Vegas, according to a Prime Video news release. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

Once thought to be a desert wasteland following the nuclear explosion, Chernobyl has since become a surprising hotbed for wildlife. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

The current target is filling the sports wasteland between the World Series and NFL playoffs. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wasteland

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

wasteland

noun

waste·​land ˈwāst-ˌland 

1

: land that is not cultivated or not fit for the cultivation of crops

2

: an ugly often ruined place or area