1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a desultory search for something of interest on TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rambling
passing from one topic to another
a desultory discussion about the news of the day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desultory
With all due respect to Swords and Holloway, Olson has taken the team on her back since Michigan’s desultory loss to Iowa last week.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Though desultory violence by remaining members of the group continued for years, the autumn of 1977 marked the climax of the violent campaigns of extremist left wing groups in the country.
—
Jason Burke,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Once more, police made desultory enquiries and soon lost interest, their investigative resources stretched thin by a recent string of bombings in London by Irish republican extremists.
—
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Conversation at Mels Diner is desultory and disinclined to matters so impractical, uncomfortable.
—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desultory
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Though desultory violence by remaining members of the group continued for years, the autumn of 1977 marked the climax of the violent campaigns of extremist left wing groups in the country.
—
Jason Burke,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Once more, police made desultory enquiries and soon lost interest, their investigative resources stretched thin by a recent string of bombings in London by Irish republican extremists.
—
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Conversation at Mels Diner is desultory and disinclined to matters so impractical, uncomfortable.
—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desultory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory
Adjective
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Thankfully, there are self-aware jabs as well, and it’s all couched in a character- and ensemble-centric ending that has hearty portions that help the random sour bite go down smoothly.
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Their choice of 14er was not random.
Adjective
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Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
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Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
Adjective
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Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.
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Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.
Adjective
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Controlled mind-wandering — Mind-wandering is a spontaneous zoning out of your immediate surroundings.
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When a wandering wolf threatens his fragile peace and slaughters his flock, Gaspard, blinded by rage, embarks on a perilous quest for vengeance — one that will lead him to the farthest reaches of his sorrow and guilt.
Adjective
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For at least a decade, federal agents followed guidelines designed to prevent arbitrary civil immigration arrests of people at courthouses.
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Some media outlets, however, reported that some of those detained were politicians or activists, leading to allegations of arbitrary detentions.
Adjective
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Most varieties prefer dappled light and require at least some indirect sunlight or partial shade, says Schully.
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In April, Iran’s government told a Russian news agency that the conflict has cost the country $270 billion in direct and indirect damages.
Adjective
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Weather officials say erratic winds have been sending smoke to different parts of the region this weekend.
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That, of course, was shown at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the Jabulani grabbed headlines for its erratic and unpredictable movement — so much so that there’s a Wikipedia page dedicated to its criticisms.
Adjective
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But by the boulder the real action was social and discursive.
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The temporary and discursive structure allowed global visibility without institutional permanence.
Cite this Entry
“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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