Added 9 October 2026
desolate
/ˈdɛs.ə.lət/ verb
In Latin: vastus Wiktionary
verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about desolate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch.
The mother deserted her children
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Reduce in population.
The epidemic depopulated the countryside
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Cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly.
The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
adjective
Origin
From Middle English desolat(e). See Etymology 2 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)