desolate desolate /ˈdɛzələt, ˈdɛsəˌleɪt/

adjective

1. () Providing no shelter or sustenance  ( bare , barren , stark , bleak , desolate )
   providing no shelter or sustenance
    Bare rocky hills
   bare rocky hills
    Barren lands
   barren lands
    The bleak treeless regions of the high Andes
   the bleak treeless regions of the high Andes
    The desolate surface of the moon
   the desolate surface of the moon
    A stark landscape
   a stark landscape
   
2. Crushed by grief  ( desolate )
   crushed by grief
    Depressed and desolate of soul
   depressed and desolate of soul
    A low desolate wail
   a low desolate wail
   

verb

1. Cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly  ( desolate , lay waste to , ravage , devastate , scourge , waste , lay waste )
   cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
    The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
   The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
   
2. Reduce in population  ( depopulate , desolate )
   reduce in population
    The epidemic depopulated the countryside
   The epidemic depopulated the countryside
   
3. Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch  ( desolate , abandon , forsake , desert )
   leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
    The mother deserted her children
   The mother deserted her children