1
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
if tobacco fields aren't allowed to lie idle once every few years, they will become barren
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
the pear tree appears to be barren
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
that line of investigation proved barren, so the police tried other avenues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
their proposal for revitalizing the downtown business district is utterly barren of useful ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in desert
land that is uninhabited or not fit for crops
lived out in the barrens where it was impossible to grow anything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barren
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2016, a team led by Su Yinquan, dean of forestry at Northwest A&F University, leased 14 hectares of barren Gobi land in Xinjiang to test whether Duzhong could survive and grow there.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
The president cites national security concerns—despite existing approvals to expand militarily—and the potentially rich natural resources on the icy, largely barren territory.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
And where there was once snow and ice just a few decades ago, there are now areas of shrub, along with barren rock and wetlands, the 2024 study reported.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barren
Adjective
In other games during the barren run, chances have been created and squandered.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2016, a team led by Su Yinquan, dean of forestry at Northwest A&F University, leased 14 hectares of barren Gobi land in Xinjiang to test whether Duzhong could survive and grow there.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
The president cites national security concerns—despite existing approvals to expand militarily—and the potentially rich natural resources on the icy, largely barren territory.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
And where there was once snow and ice just a few decades ago, there are now areas of shrub, along with barren rock and wetlands, the 2024 study reported.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barren
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barren
Adjective
-
While Scarry’s books present such catastrophes with bright colors and good humor, Gomez undermines this cheer by superimposing on the mural a nearly all-black painting of a desolate tent encampment in front of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire.—
Sharon Mizota,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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The clash of beauty and filth is well suited for Brontë’s desolate tale of romance in a tempestuous climate, where Cathy is constantly caught between Victorian propriety and her baser, wilder nature.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some varieties are sterile and do not produce fruit.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For another neutral white that doesn't feel overtly sterile or boring, Ayala is championing Cloud White.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His work there included an unsuccessful effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, which drew congressional scrutiny.—
Dan Sullivan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Attempts to reach Coplan and Jones individually were unsuccessful.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Noun
-
The final product is a Southwestern desert vibe with a luxe, Palm Springs twist; effortlessly blending sepia photos, raw materials, colorful decor, and contemporary comforts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The camp’s 50 safari-style tents are spread across 220 acres of desert overlooking Lake Powell.—
Megan Eaves,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This village near the Swiss border has had sales tax exemptions since medieval times, which allowed the impoverished, cut-off area to bring in goods.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
An education advocate, Jackson founded the PUSH/Excel program to motivate Black and impoverished students to achieve excellence through schooling.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This defeatist thinking is misguided and assumes action will be futile.—
Jim Costa,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
All throughout the film, there are images of terrible things being done to other creatures, as if to express the humans’ futile attempts to tamp down their natural urges.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Asked about the void Jackson’s passing will leave, Ald.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Despite their cap problems, the Dolphins could accommodate such a deal using void years, when some cap charges reflect after a player has left your team.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barren.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barren. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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