desultory

adjective

ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce desultory (audio)
Definition of desultorynext
1
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
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory
  1. random
  2. rambling
  3. scattered
  4. wandering
  5. arbitrary
  6. indirect
  7. erratic
  8. discursive
Adjective
  • The maximalist space is filled with art pieces big and small — drawings taped up, random plant pots and street signs, scrap-metal sculptures and realist paintings.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Amid the random parts stitched together to fill 10 half-hour episodes (which are actually 30 minutes or less, thank God), there are intriguing patterns.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Definition of random
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 22 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 June 2026
Definition of rambling
Adjective
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • If your data is messy, scattered or stale, the AI output fails.
    — Sagi Eliyahu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • Some digging around Amazon led me to the Hollywood Fashion Secrets Bra Converting Clip, which has singlehandedly solved my wandering-strap woes.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 9 July 2026
  • Controlled mind-wandering — Mind-wandering is a spontaneous zoning out of your immediate surroundings.
    — Eric Zillmer, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
Definition of wandering
Adjective
  • This can lead to data corruption and even arbitrary code execution.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • While American fans were glad to have him back, the arbitrary way this decision was reached undermines the integrity of the sport.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Iran has paused indirect talks over ending the war with the US ahead of the multi-day funeral.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • For charcoal grills, arrange coals to one side for indirect cooking.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of indirect
Adjective
  • However, Scaloni’s experienced team has been here and done this before, and while its defense may be erratic, so is England’s.
    — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 15 July 2026
  • The fire, which started Saturday afternoon, was 5% contained as firefighters contended with gusty, erratic winds, dry fuels and difficult terrain.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of erratic
Adjective
  • Like members of the Women’s Rights Convention, these outsiders often invoked the Declaration of Independence as a discursive weapon.
    — Brian DeLay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • But by the boulder the real action was social and discursive.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of discursive

Browse Nearby Words

desultorily
desultory
detach
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Cite this Entry

“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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