desolation — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The state of being desolated or laid waste

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   ruinsolitarinessdestitutiongloomgloominess

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

   One or two uncovered masses appeared like the lingering foot-prints of desolation; but in general where the statelier trees had not taken root, the soil was luxuriantly covered with heath and the golden blossomed furze.

3. A place or country wasted and forsaken.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. the state of being decayed or destroyed

   Synonyms

   devastation

   Broader terms

   deteriorationimpairment

2. a bleak and desolate atmosphere

   Synonyms

   bleaknessbarenessnakedness

   Broader terms

   gloomgloominessglumness

   Examples

   the nakedness of the landscape

3. sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned

   Synonyms

   forlornnessloneliness

   Broader terms

   sadnessunhappiness

4. an event that results in total destruction

   Synonyms

   devastation

   Broader terms

   ruinruination