desolate
12 synonyms and 4 antonyms for desolate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Empty and bleak, with no people or life around; also, extremely sad and without hope.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Empty and bleak, with no people or life around; also, extremely sad and without hope.
“The desolate landscape stretched for miles without a single tree.”
Opposites
How to use desolate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a desolate wasteland
feel desolate
Etymology
From Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare, "to leave alone, forsake" — from de- + solus ("alone").
Full origin of desolate →Frequently asked questions
What does “desolate” mean?
The word “desolate” means empty and bleak, with no people or life around; also, extremely sad and without hope. In plain terms, empty and bleak (a place), or deeply sad and without hope (a person).
How do you pronounce “desolate”?
“Desolate” is pronounced DEHS-uh-luht (/ˈdɛs.ə.lət/ in IPA).
How do you use “desolate” in a sentence?
Here is “desolate” used in a sentence: “The desolate landscape stretched for miles without a single tree.”
What part of speech is “desolate”?
Depending on how it is used, “desolate” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “desolate” come from?
The word “desolate” comes from Latin. From Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare, "to leave alone, forsake" — from de- + solus ("alone").
Is “desolate” a common word?
“Desolate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “desolate” have?
“Desolate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: empty and bleak, with no people or life around; also, extremely sad and without hope.
