DESULTORY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

desultory

adjective

ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of desultory

as in random

lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern a desultory search for something of interest on TV

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rambling

passing from one topic to another a desultory discussion about the news of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of desultory There'd be people sitting outside smoking, having desultory conversations, playing games. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for desultory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory

Adjective

Regardless of the reason, a random, one-time-use rub does nothing for deer hunters.

— Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
In the company’s new subscription product, there is no flurry of random off-topic comments posted by unidentified users.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

And then there’s the Kiyosaki residence, a rambling Moroccan fantasia with muddy adobe walls and a pink door.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
In the podcast, conversations with guests are interspersed with rambling reflections from Von, who is open about his past issues with substance abuse.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rambling

Adjective

The scattered pieces of the former storm will likely drift over the Caribbean and soak Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hispaniola with a few inches of rain, some of which will reach Florida.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
The right words can turn scattered details into a workable plan.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of scattered

Adjective

With Black Friday and also Christmas Day games on Netflix only becoming a thing over the past couple of years, some have wondered if the NFL has a wandering eye.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
The ancient, walkable cities here invite wandering and exploration.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of wandering

Adjective

Vucic has pushed hard against the protesters, sparking international concern over police violence and arbitrary detentions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Vucic has pushed hard against the protesters as the government faced international criticism over police violence and arbitrary detentions of demonstrators.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

The sanctions aim to isolate the Islamic Republic from its remaining economic partners, including China, which buys more than 80% of Iranian oil shipments, usually through indirect channels.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The financial-services industry has always been an indirect and noisy prediction market for relatively narrow topics.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of indirect

Adjective

The set-up is fast and the humor on the wacky side, like a Coen brothers flick minus their mastery of narrative rhythm, which here remains erratic throughout.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026
Despite his powerful positions, Musk has also embraced the role of internet troll, using his massive online platforms to spew erratic, seemingly contradictory positions and frequently whip his army of followers into a frenzy.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of erratic

Adjective

The prolific, award-winning British author’s novels are often plotless, discursive and frustratingly obtuse.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
And yet this metafictional doubling—in which people appear simultaneously as themselves and with a set of fictional flourishes—has the side effect of undermining the discursive conceit of the text.

— Maya Binyam, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of discursive

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desultorily

desultory

detach

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“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of desultory

adjective

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