desolation
dess-uh-LAY-shun
/ˌdes.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
A state of complete emptiness, loneliness, or ruinous grief.
Applies equally to ruined, empty landscapes and complete emotional emptiness within a person.
The story behind the word. Latin 'desolatus' comes from 'solus' (alone). Prefixing 'de-' intensifies it into 'completely abandoned to solitude'—reducing a person or place to raw loneliness.
Word relationships
- devastation: Devastation emphasizes physical destruction or ruin.
- bleakness: Bleakness highlights cold, unwelcoming emptiness without total ruin.
- solace: Solace is comfort or consolation in time of distress.
- fertility: Fertility emphasizes abundant life and productivity.
Commonly confused with
- isolation: Isolation simply means being separated from others; desolation means ruined emptiness.
Word family
- desolate (adjective): Deserted, empty, or overcome by grief.
- desolately (adverb): In a desolate, abandoned manner.
Collocations
- utter desolation
- scene of desolation
- sense of desolation
- desolation of spirit
Idioms & expressions
- barren wasteland
Example sentences
- "The volcanic eruption transformed the lush island into a scene of utter desolation." Environmental description
- "A sense of desolate solitude enveloped her when she entered the abandoned house." Emotional state
Memory hook
A DESERT ISOLATION leads to complete desolation. Completely alone and ruined.
When not to use
Do not use for minor loneliness or casual disappointment.
Fun facts
- Tolkien named the ruined dragon-ravaged land in The Hobbit 'The Desolation of Smaug'.
Related words
Also appears in
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