1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a desultory search for something of interest on TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
The story, originally conceived by Truffaut, is a thin, desultory affair, about a French hoodlum on the run and his doomed fling with an American expat.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
In a somewhat desultory Virginia childhood, fishing with my father was a recurring motif.
—AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desultory
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
The story, originally conceived by Truffaut, is a thin, desultory affair, about a French hoodlum on the run and his doomed fling with an American expat.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
In a somewhat desultory Virginia childhood, fishing with my father was a recurring motif.
—AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desultory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory
Adjective
-
These aren’t random clearance leftovers—they’re practical, stylish finds that’ll carry you straight into spring trips and beyond.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
No more random goons without background checks, and fire all who never should have been hired.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her conversation was rambling and fascinating.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And in legislative committees and in debate on Wednesday, sponsors of the new requirement didn’t cite evidence of more than scattered cases in which non-citizens may have voted.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This full-sun outdoor container stars a wandering dude vine with bold purple, green, and silver foliage.—
Johanna Silver,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In the Texas Hill Country following the Civil War, 14-year-old Travis is left in charge of the family ranch when his father goes on a long cattle drive and soon forges a reluctant bond with a wandering yellow dog.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In his ruling, Estudillo said the group failed to show that they were denied passes because of their political affiliations — which would be a violation of their First Amendment rights — and failed to show that the process was arbitrary, which would have violated their due process rights.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Teaching of the Kurdish language is restricted, Kurdish names are banned from official registration, and Kurdish activists face arbitrary detention.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Scientists had previously seen indirect signs that sunlight can spin small asteroids faster and fling material into space, but the UMD team’s models now provide the first direct visual proof.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And through direct conversations or indirect, through him one-to-one or through his cabinet, messages-- definitely can be delivered.—
Major Garrett,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Oviedo has been excellent in each of his last two outings after a somewhat erratic spring debut, most recently striking out four over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s win over the Rays.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But the woman’s time on the stand was also contentious and erratic at times.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While forming a global network of thinkers, the IPS has developed over the past five years to critically examine the material, discursive, and aesthetic scope of everything that might fall under the heading of postnatural.—
Catherine Taft,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The instructional promise of each episode was a bit, a starting point for discursive, funny, intermittently personal mini-essays that always started in Wilson’s beloved New York, but could and did make their way anywhere.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
