Thesaurus

desolate

Q: How does the adjective 'desolate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of desolate are bleak , cheerless , dismal , dreary , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: Where would 'bleak' be a reasonable alternative to 'desolate'?

The words bleak and desolate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When is 'cheerless' a more appropriate choice than 'desolate'?

The words cheerless and desolate can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: When might 'dismal' be a better fit than 'desolate'?

In some situations, the words dismal and desolate are roughly equivalent. However, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: When could 'dreary' be used to replace 'desolate'?

Although the words dreary and desolate have much in common, dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gloomy' instead of 'desolate'?

The meanings of gloomy and desolate largely overlap; however, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of desolate

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer

a desolate house abandoned many years ago

Synonyms for desolate

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Antonyms for desolate

2 sad from lack of companionship or separation from others

he was less desolate after adopting a rescue dog

Synonyms for desolate

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friendless

only,
sole

Near Antonyms for desolate

3 left unoccupied or unused

a desolate mining town that had its brief heyday more than a century ago

Synonyms for desolate

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empty,
idle

Near Antonyms for desolate

repeopled

4 producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation

wild, desolate plains on which only the hardiest could survive

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arable,
tillable

Antonyms for desolate

desolate

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of desolate (Entry 2 of 2)

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of

totally desolated the city with aerial bombs

Synonyms for desolate

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Near Antonyms for desolate

create,
invent

Antonyms for desolate

Frequently Asked Questions About desolate

How does the adjective desolate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of desolate are bleak, cheerless, dismal, dreary, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

Where would bleak be a reasonable alternative to desolate?

The words bleak and desolate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When is cheerless a more appropriate choice than desolate?

The words cheerless and desolate can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When might dismal be a better fit than desolate?

In some situations, the words dismal and desolate are roughly equivalent. However, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When could dreary be used to replace desolate?

Although the words dreary and desolate have much in common, dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job