WordHive Learning Dictionary

Desolate

adjective, verb

Desolate means empty, lonely, or very sad.

8 letters 3 syllables

What does Desolate mean?

Desolate means empty, lonely, or very sad.

Dictionary definition

Empty, lonely, and sad; or to make someone feel deeply unhappy.

Example sentences

Desolate in a sentence

easy

The old road looked desolate at night.

medium

The empty playground felt desolate after the storm.

hard

The writer used a desolate landscape to show the character's loneliness.

Writing practice

Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice desolate in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.

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Practice the meaning of Desolate

Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.

Practice 1

What does desolate mean?

Practice 2

Which sentence uses desolate correctly?

Practice 3

Which word is an antonym of desolate?

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Desolate

Voice settings
Sounds like

des · uh · lit · strongest beat: des

Synonyms

Words like Desolate

lonelyUse when something feels empty or sad.
barrenUse for land that is empty or has little life.
Antonyms

Opposite words

livelyUse when a place feels full of life and activity.
cheerfulUse when something feels happy or bright.
Synonym practice

Want to practice desolate synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The landscape felt desolate, with no lights visible for miles," then compare close word choices. Practice desolate synonyms.

Word family

Desolate word family

Base word

desolate

adjective

desolate

Empty, lonely, or very sad.

noun

desolation

A state of emptiness, loneliness, or sadness.

adverb

desolately

In a lonely or sad way.

Related words