DESOLATE Synonyms: 375 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'desolate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of desolate are bleak , cheerless , dismal , dreary , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: Where would 'bleak' be a reasonable alternative to 'desolate'?

The words bleak and desolate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When is 'cheerless' a more appropriate choice than 'desolate'?

The words cheerless and desolate can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: When might 'dismal' be a better fit than 'desolate'?

In some situations, the words dismal and desolate are roughly equivalent. However, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: When could 'dreary' be used to replace 'desolate'?

Although the words dreary and desolate have much in common, dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gloomy' instead of 'desolate'?

The meanings of gloomy and desolate largely overlap; however, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

desolate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈde-sə-lət

Definition of desolate

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer a desolate house abandoned many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lonely

sad from lack of companionship or separation from others he was less desolate after adopting a rescue dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deserted

left unoccupied or unused a desolate mining town that had its brief heyday more than a century ago

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in barren

producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation wild, desolate plains on which only the hardiest could survive

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

desolate

2 of 2

verb

ˈde-sə-ˌlāt

as in to ruin

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of totally desolated the city with aerial bombs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective desolate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of desolate are bleak, cheerless, dismal, dreary, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

Where would bleak be a reasonable alternative to desolate?

The words bleak and desolate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When is cheerless a more appropriate choice than desolate?

The words cheerless and desolate can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When might dismal be a better fit than desolate?

In some situations, the words dismal and desolate are roughly equivalent. However, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When could dreary be used to replace desolate?

Although the words dreary and desolate have much in common, dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When is it sensible to use gloomy instead of desolate?

The meanings of gloomy and desolate largely overlap; however, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

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 desolate

Adjective

The Gwi Realm is a desolate, crimson wasteland littered with malevolent presence, so naturally there have been comparisons to that other little Netflix show called Stranger Things. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 However desolate Mars may appear from afar, there is certainly no shortage of activity on its surface — or discoveries still waiting to be made. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 17 July 2026 Despite the property damage, the New Jersey meteorite fragments are a rare reminder that asteroids aren’t always desolate, inert rocks. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026 These poems, spare and sometimes desolate, teem with harsh realities and unadorned truths. — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for desolate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desolate

Adjective

Although the news may be bleak for the dinner's thousands of supporters, the committee also shared a glimmer of hope.

— Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2026
In many ways, her life feels like a bleak look at the false promise of placing all of your need for validation in your husband.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Many become lonelier and less equipped to navigate conflict, disappointment, and repair elsewhere.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of lonely

Adjective

There’s even a nod to 28 Days Later, with Zeta-Jones hobbling across a deserted Westminster Bridge in London wearing blue hospital scrubs, just like Cillian Murphy’s Jim in the 2002 horror movie.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
The landscape of the deserted street was becoming all red sand and brown stone.

— Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of deserted

Adjective

Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
At the rocky, barren peninsula of Depotodden, though, there was an uncomfortable reminder that even this remote coastline is connected to the rest of the world.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of barren

Verb

The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Gen, forgetting her swollen wrist, perks up at the thought of having a new person to ruin sheets with.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Adjective

On top of the moving-camera-foamy-dark-mouth challenge, there was the plaque challenge.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Finley’s breakout was the 2017 dark comedy Thoroughbreds, in which Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy play high-schoolers conspiring to kill an abusive stepfather.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

At least 14 artisanal miners are dead and scores are injured at a disused mine in South Africa, police said Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Motion opened the gallery in Kings Cross in a disused betting parlor next door to a kebab shop in 2016 while also holding down a day job.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disused

Adjective

But perhaps the most impressive thing the seemingly tireless Parton did during her 80 years was donate much of her wealth to impoverished communities.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of impoverished

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“Desolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desolate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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