desolate
/dɪˈsoʊleɪt/ · des-o-late
verb
- To deprive of inhabitants. The war desolate the city, leaving it empty and barren.
- To devastate or lay waste somewhere. The hurricane desolate the coastal town, destroying homes and businesses.
- To abandon or forsake something. She desolate her job to pursue a new career path.
adjective
- Deserted and devoid of inhabitants. The desolate isle was a haven for seabirds.
- Barren and lifeless. The desolate landscape stretched out before us, devoid of any signs of life.
- Made unfit for habitation or use because of neglect, destruction etc. The desolate altars stood as a testament to the forgotten rituals of the past.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'desolate' has been used to describe the desolate landscapes of the American West in the 19th century, where pioneers and settlers faced harsh conditions and isolation.