1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
his desolation after his twin brother died was incurable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in disrepair
the state of being unattended to or not cared for
the desolation of the abandoned garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in devastation
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
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Recent Examples of desolation
But with the seventh plague, the degree of desolation increases.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So the desolation wilderness looks kind of bonkers.
—Outside Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Only death and desolation in the end.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Capturing the dynamics of laborers, with a reimaging of fan covers as ornate hats, the texture of plastic bags is recreated, incorporating the clashing of neon lights to express both the vitality and desolation of street life.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desolation
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So the desolation wilderness looks kind of bonkers.
—Outside Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Only death and desolation in the end.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Capturing the dynamics of laborers, with a reimaging of fan covers as ornate hats, the texture of plastic bags is recreated, incorporating the clashing of neon lights to express both the vitality and desolation of street life.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for desolation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desolation
Noun
-
The news of his death was met with shock and sadness from fans, players and fellow broadcasters around the NBA.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
But sadness also, along with regret, surrounding Arguijo-Mejia.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Passengers are treated to rare desert vistas that aren’t visible from surrounding interstates as the train glides by vast ranches, undulating mountains, and scenic pueblos.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Photos and a video Aiello provided show bladed wire snaking around the decomposing animal’s neck and curved horns, as well as the front legs, in a desert landscape dotted with boulders.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Bowen Homes was demolished in 2009 after the 650-apartment complex fell into neglect and disrepair.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
-
This garden, built in 1968 on the West LA Veterans Affairs Campus, had fallen into wild disrepair when Follmer found it six years ago and started to clean it up.—
Quil Lawrence,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The unexplained detonation of explosives stored by one of Myanmar’s rebel armies has killed dozens, the militia that controls the village and witnesses said Monday, as the search for survivors continued amid widespread devastation at the site.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
-
Leigh opened up about the devastation of his loss last month.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Absent the lush melancholy of classic synth-pop, what Hervé and Amato had in common with their forbears was a spirit of innovation rooted in profound laziness.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
23 May 2026
-
While the actors are committed, poignant and warm, their upbeat tone doesn’t always blend well with the melancholy of the picture.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
He was indicted on three counts -- destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Yes, the Cal State Fullerton softball team continued its destruction of the Big West Conference.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Most of the everyday usage of popular LLMs to get mental health advice usually involves people with relatively common cognitive issues, such as depression, anxiety, and the like.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Her group provides services through Zoom and Google Meet to more than 7,000 adults and children coping with stressors such as cancer and chronic pain, as well as with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.—
Holly Dagres,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The goal of all this havoc is not to destroy democracy, according to Vergara—though that might be a welcome side effect, to some—but to torpedo the rule of law and thereby protect illicit financial gains.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
Finally, incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management have wreaked havoc.—
Joanna Ossinger,Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desolation. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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