desolate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
  2. verb reduce in population
  3. verb cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly

Etymology

From Middle English desolat(e). See Etymology 2 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.

In classic literature

Synonyms

abandon, forsake, desert

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