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Meaning & use

desolate areas

phrase·Advanced

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UK/ˈdesələt ˈeəriəz/
US/ˈdesələt ˈeriəz/

“desolate areas” is a form of “desolate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. phraseplural

    Places that are empty, bleak, and often ruined or without people.

    Grammar: A plural noun phrase; use it with plural verbs, e.g. 'The desolate areas were abandoned.'

    Patterns

    • desolate areas of a place
    • leave an area desolate

    After the war, large desolate areas remained empty for years.

    The storm left desolate areas where no crops could grow.

    Tourists rarely visit the desolate areas in the north of the country.

  2. phrasepluralliterary

    Regions that feel extremely lonely and without comfort.

    Grammar: Often used in descriptive or literary writing to create a mood.

    Patterns

    • feel desolate
    • a desolate landscape

    She walked through desolate areas of the city at night.

    The novel describes desolate areas where hope seems lost.

Common combinations

desolate landscape
The moon has a desolate landscape of rocks and dust.
desolate area
Aid workers reached the desolate area after the earthquake.
leave something desolate
The fire left the forest desolate.
desolate and empty
The town was desolate and empty after the factory closed.

Synonyms and how they differ

barren
Focuses on land that cannot produce plants; 'desolate' can also suggest sadness or ruin.
bleak
Emphasizes cold, gray, and hopeless conditions; 'desolate' often adds a sense of emptiness.
abandoned
Means left by people; 'desolate' can describe a place that feels empty even if not literally abandoned.

Opposites

livelypopulatedthriving

Word family

desolation noun
The state of being desolate; emptiness or ruin.
desolately adverb
In a desolate manner.

Commonly confused: desolate areas or isolated? desolate areas or dissolute?

desolate areas vs isolated

Means far from other places; 'desolate' adds a feeling of emptiness or sadness.

desolate areas vs dissolute

Means morally loose; do not confuse with 'desolate', which describes places or feelings.

Practice

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