Desolation Meaning
/ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of desolating or laying waste; destruction of inhabitants; depopulation.
nounThe state of being desolated or laid waste
Sentence Examples
The Sahara is a sea of desolation.
The desolation left in his wake is staggering.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bombing led to widespread ____ across the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The Sahara is a sea of ____.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English desolacioun, from Middle French, Old French desolacion f, from Latin dēsōlātiō f.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 1:26–27:
"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."
— 1823, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Forget Me Not 1824, The Indian Orphan, page 68:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bombing led to widespread ____ across the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The Sahara is a sea of ____.