desolateness

7.5

A feeling of being very lonely and empty after loss

noun
/ˈdɛzəleɪtnəs/

: desolación

After the storm, the desolateness of the landscape left everyone feeling somber and reflective.

Examples

I was thrust out into the desolateness of wondering about my past, whether it had not been too cruel to those I had dragged with me, and almost to cry out to heaven for a word of reassurance that was not given to me in time.

Academic text (1996)
How odd that now they'll part ways, that she'll return to her friend's house, and he'll go indoors and feel sorry for himself for being home alone, and then he'll force himself to call Stanley Lesser, whom he suddenly pictures with desolateness.

Fiction book (2000)
The desolateness of the abandoned town made it feel as if time had stopped and no one had lived there for years.
He couldn't shake the feeling of desolateness as he walked through the empty streets late at night.

Synonyms

depression

vsdesolateness

330 3.7

A deep feeling of sadness and loss of interest in life

is often about empty, isolated surroundings and sorrow after loss

void

vsdesolateness

182 6.5

A very empty space or feeling that is hard to fill

adds sadness and isolation from loss, not only an empty gap

loneliness

vsdesolateness

141 2.3

A sad feeling when you are alone and feel separate from others

is broader, adding empty places and sense of loss beyond social isolation

emptiness

vsdesolateness

58 5.3

A feeling that life has no meaning

is more tied to physical or social vacancy combined with sad feeling

hopelessness

vsdesolateness

28 4.1

A feeling that nothing will get better

is focused on empty sadness and deserted places rather than pure despair

lonesome

vsdesolateness

24 3.9

A feeling of sadness because you are alone

is more about deserted surroundings and emotional emptiness after loss

aloneness

vsdesolateness

5 6.5

Being by yourself and choosing quiet time instead of being with others

is unwanted emptiness with sadness, not a preferred, chosen solitude

despondency

vsdesolateness

4 8.3

A strong feeling of sadness and loss of hope after something bad

is emptiness and isolation with sadness, not only hopeless feeling

blankness

vsdesolateness

4 4.3

A feeling of emptiness with no thoughts or emotion

is emotional and lonely emptiness connected to loss and sadness

desolation

vsdesolateness

3 7.6

A feeling of deep sadness and emptiness after being left alone

has identical meaning but appears as a different word form

voidness

vsdesolateness

Formal

3 9.9

A state in which things do not have their own separate, lasting existence

is emotional emptiness tied to sadness or deserted places rather than theory

bleakness

vsdesolateness

3 6.3

A cold, empty feeling that makes a place or situation seem sad

is similar but often focuses on lonely sadness after loss or abandonment

hollowness

vsdesolateness

2 7.1

An empty feeling inside a person or their words

is more about empty surroundings and loneliness after loss rather than inner insincerity

listlessness

vsdesolateness

2 6.8

A feeling of little energy and no interest

is deeper sorrow linked to empty surroundings rather than mere fatigue

soullessness

vsdesolateness

1 7.7

A feeling of cold emptiness and lack of human warmth

is sadness and empty loneliness connected to loss rather than mere coldness

deadness

vsdesolateness

1 5.3

A state of no life or energy that makes a person feel empty

is about sad emptiness and isolation rather than only lifeless dullness

dreariness

vsdesolateness

1 6.2

A dull, gloomy feeling that makes things seem not interesting

is more personal sadness and empty isolation rather than general dullness

nakedness

vsdesolateness

1 5.6

An empty landscape with few plants or buildings

is emotional emptiness and sorrow, not only a bare physical look

lifelessness

vsdesolateness

1 5.4

A lack of life, energy, or movement

is emotional emptiness mixed with sadness and lonely abandonment

despondence

vsdesolateness

1 8.8

A feeling of deep sadness and no hope

is emptiness mixed with lonely sadness rather than only discouragement

gloominess

vsdesolateness

1 3.4

A feeling of sadness and little hope felt by people or in a place

is more about emptiness and lonely loss than only gloom

barrenness

vsdesolateness

1 8.1

A situation when nothing useful can be produced

is emotional loneliness and emptiness rather than agricultural unproductivity

disconsolateness

vsdesolateness

9.9

A deep sadness that nothing can comfort

is less extreme and stresses empty places or quiet loss

glumness

vsdesolateness

6.6

A quiet feeling of sadness and low spirits

is emptier and more about deserted surroundings or personal loss

dejectedness

vsdesolateness

6.4

A feeling of sadness and low energy

is empty, lonely sadness often linked to abandonment or loss

abjectness

vsdesolateness

Formal

8.8

Extreme misery and suffering that makes life very hard

is more about empty sadness and isolation, not humiliation or degradation

vacantness

vsdesolateness

6.0

A place or space with nothing in it and no activity

is emotional emptiness with sorrow and sense of being abandoned

wasteness

vsdesolateness

Archaic

9.8

Land with no plants or people, appearing empty and lifeless

is about sad emotional emptiness rather than physical regional barrenness

Antonyms

community

∞ 2.8

A group of people who live in the same area, like a neighborhood

abundance

91 3.3

A large amount of something, more than you need

How Lonely

despair

210 3.5

desolation

3 7.6

desolateness

7.5

loneliness

141 2.3

solitude

54 5.2

Surface Forms

desolateness singular

desolatenesses plural

Morphology

desolateness = desolate (transparent) = desolate + ness

The noun is a regular '-ness' formation from the adjective 'desolate' meaning 'state or quality of being desolate', which is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

The word desolateness comes from the parts de- 'away' and solus 'alone', so it gives the image of being put 'away' and left alone. You can see the same root in solo and solitude, and that is why desolateness means a deep feeling of emptiness or loneliness.