1
as in deserts
land that is uninhabited or not fit for crops
looked out over the vast untamed desolation to the north
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disrepairs
the state of being unattended to or not cared for
the desolation of the abandoned garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devastations
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the nuclear attack resulted in a scene of utter desolation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desolations
Noun
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Chase Travel Chase Travel’s 26 Trips to Take in 2026 highlights where booking demand and cultural curiosity are converging, with destinations spanning rugged deserts, coastal hideaways, Arctic wilderness, and global cultural capitals.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026 -
Over 35% of counties in America are considered OB deserts, or maternal care deserts, meaning there aren’t any obstetric clinicians or hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The population surge caused widespread urchin barrens across the islands.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Given the surrounding terrain, largely comprising volcanic barrens and lava fields, the risk of wildfire remains low, and no life-threatening impacts have been identified.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In a study of 926 species across climatic zones, 47% are undergoing local extinctions, just like the lizards.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
22 Nov. 2025
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These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Israel says the operation aims to root out armed groups and says the demolitions are needed to destroy militant infrastructure or to clear routes for troops.—
Aref Tufaha,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
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The demolitions come amid sustained Israeli military operations in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, including Nur Shams, Tulkarm and Jenin.—
Mohammed Tawfeeq,
CNN Money,
16 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Desolations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desolations. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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