desolate
Say it: DES-uh-lut /ˈdɛsələt/ · adjective
What “desolate” means
Feeling completely sad, lonely and without comfort.
More precisely: Utterly sad and lonely; also, of a place, empty and bleak.
Example: “After the breakup, he felt desolate for weeks.”
When to use it
For overwhelming loneliness and sadness, especially when nothing feels comforting. Strong and often literary rather than casual.
It can also mean
A desolate place is empty and bleak, with little life or comfort.
Similar words
forlorn, wretched, despairing
Where it comes from
From Latin desolare, "to abandon."
Quick check
All your friends have left town, and you sit alone feeling utterly miserable, with nothing bringing comfort. You feel…
desolate or homesick?
Show the answer
desolate
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