desolation

Noun
US[des-uh-ley-shuhn]/ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/4 syllables
Synonyms: devastationbleaknessbarenessnakednessforlornnessloneliness

Open English WordNet

Noun (4)

  1. the state of being decayed or destroyedSynonyms: devastationType of deterioration, impairmentKinds ruin, blight
  2. a bleak and desolate atmosphere“the nakedness of the landscape”Synonyms: bleaknessbarenessnakednessType of gloom, gloominess
  3. sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandonedSynonyms: forlornnesslonelinessType of sadness, unhappiness
  4. an event that results in total destructionSynonyms: devastationType of ruin, ruination

Related words waste verb, bleak adjective, lonely adjective

Word of the day · Nov 9About this word
inexorableadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Des′o·la′tion noun

Origin: F. désolation, L. desolatio.

1. The act of desolating or laying waste; destruction of inhabitants; depopulation.

Unto the end of the war desolations are determined.— Dan. ix. 26.

2. The state of being desolated or laid waste; ruin; solitariness; destitution; gloominess.

You would have sold your king to slaughter,... And his whole kingdom into desolation.— William Shakespeare

3. A place or country wasted and forsaken.

How is Babylon become a desolation!— Jer. l. 23.

Synonyms: Waste; ruin; destruction; havoc; devastation; ravage; sadness; destitution; melancholy; gloom; gloominess.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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