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

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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 show’s first two episodes feature scenes of shadowboxing, random bouts of wrestling and friendly teasing between players and coaches in between the hustle and bustle of an NFL training camp.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Made by stacking general-purpose dynamic random access memory, HBM is the highest bandwidth memory capable of rapid data access that helps AI processors execute tasks.
    — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of random
Adjective
  • The chaotic hearing was marked by Castro-Arroyo rambling and frequently interrupting Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ellen Sue Venzer as an interpreter translated the proceeding.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • On the latest episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart took aim at Donald Trump‘s rambling speech during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Definition of rambling
Adjective
  • During a walk through the park, CBS News Philadelphia also found scattered screws, metal fragments and broken glass in parts of the lawn.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • They are known to ruin picnics, chase wandering children, and terrorize those who accidentally mow over a nest.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The problem isn’t the wandering trees, but the wandering narrative, which needs deeper roots.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of wandering
Adjective
  • The Geneva Conventions, a set of treaties governing the conduct of warring parties, which were ratified in the aftermath of the Second World War, forbid the arbitrary detention of civilians.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But many residents believed the resulting assessment calculations were arbitrary, according to Ben Glickman, vice chair of the LLAD advisory committee.
    — Haley Parsley August 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Much existing research has had to rely on estimating which tasks could potentially be accomplished by AI, or indirect surveys rather than actual spending or usage records.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • SpaceX’s expanding presence in Texas has driven substantial economic growth since 2024, creating over 56,000 direct and indirect jobs.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of indirect
Adjective
  • Crews were clearing vegetation to help slow the fire’s spread as officials warned that thunderstorms could bring erratic winds and increase fire activity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • My treatment brought me back to myself, and the medication stopped my erratic behavior.
    — Ayana Lage, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of erratic
Adjective
  • Was the discursive thread accidental, or emblematic of the two poles the AI industry is now bifurcated between?
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of discursive

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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 15 Aug. 2026.

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