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
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
What was once an area of strength for Brazil has become a wasteland: none of the 65 or so options tested since the Qatar World Cup has made a compelling case for a starting spot.
—
Jack Lang, New York Times, 16 May 2025
But now that the Trump administration has been firing thousands of scientists and cutting funding for scientific research, America is in danger of becoming a wasteland of culture and science indeed.
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
Pushing back against talent narratives Morgan pushed back on the notion that the No. 8 pick was a talent wasteland of sorts.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
This Lincoln Heights mom, wife and botanist has worked for three years to transform an ugly stretch of wasteland between Avenue 20 and the 5 Freeway into a lush native plant garden.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasteland
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Jack Lang, New York Times, 16 May 2025
But now that the Trump administration has been firing thousands of scientists and cutting funding for scientific research, America is in danger of becoming a wasteland of culture and science indeed.
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
Pushing back against talent narratives Morgan pushed back on the notion that the No. 8 pick was a talent wasteland of sorts.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
This Lincoln Heights mom, wife and botanist has worked for three years to transform an ugly stretch of wasteland between Avenue 20 and the 5 Freeway into a lush native plant garden.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasteland
Cite this Entry
“Wasteland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wasteland. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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