What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loneliness
Example
She felt a deep sense of loneliness after her best friend moved away. [loneliness: noun]
Example
He was lonely and longed for human connection. [lonely: adjective]
desolation
Example
The desert was a place of desolation, with nothing but sand and rocks for miles. [desolation: noun]
Example
After the death of his wife, he felt a sense of desolation and despair. [desolate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loneliness is more commonly used in everyday language than desolation. Loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience at some point in their lives, while desolation is a more extreme and less common emotion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loneliness and desolation?
Desolation is a more formal word than loneliness. It is often used in literature or poetry to describe a bleak or desolate landscape or environment. Loneliness, on the other hand, is a more versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
