desolation
noun
des·o·la·tion
ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən 
ˌde-zə-
1
: the action of desolating
the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I—
D. F. Fleming
D. F. Fleming2
b
3
: devastation, ruin
a scene of utter desolation
4
: barren wasteland
looked out across the desolation
Synonyms
- blue devils
- blues
- dejection
- depression
- despond
- despondence
- despondency
- disconsolateness
- dispiritedness
- doldrums
- dolefulness
- downheartedness
- dreariness
- dumps
- forlornness
- gloom
- gloominess
- glumness
- heartsickness
- joylessness
- melancholy
- miserableness
- mopes
- mournfulness
- oppression
- sadness
- sorrowfulness
- unhappiness
Examples of desolation in a Sentence
She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
photos that show the desolation of war
Recent Examples on the Web
But James, as a Mad Men-era alcoholic desperately trying to save his family and himself from utter desolation, was unrivaled this season in sheer power.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 June 2024
Her obsession with that sport, dating back to her early childhood in Minnesota, prompts some exciting opening action as Riley ricochets from desolation to triumph in the closing stretch of a game.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024
McQueen’s previous films, Hunger and Shame, were about spiritual desolation, but 12 Years a Slave topped them in terms of depicting the cruelty of human beings and the limits of what one soul can take.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
This visual marvel is best enjoyed on the big screen, from the beautiful desolation and arid dunes of Arrakis to the humongous (and famous) CGI sandworms.
—Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, theweek, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desolation 
Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 June 2024
Her obsession with that sport, dating back to her early childhood in Minnesota, prompts some exciting opening action as Riley ricochets from desolation to triumph in the closing stretch of a game.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024
McQueen’s previous films, Hunger and Shame, were about spiritual desolation, but 12 Years a Slave topped them in terms of depicting the cruelty of human beings and the limits of what one soul can take.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
This visual marvel is best enjoyed on the big screen, from the beautiful desolation and arid dunes of Arrakis to the humongous (and famous) CGI sandworms.
—Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, theweek, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desolation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desolation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Desolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desolation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desolation
noun
des·o·la·tion
ˌdes-ə-ˈlā-shən
ˌdez-
1
: the action of desolating
2
: sadness resulting from grief or loneliness
3
: the condition of being desolated : ruin
4
: lifeless land
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