desultory Definition
- 1lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
- 2occurring randomly or occasionally
Using desultory: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "desultory" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He made a desultory attempt at studying for the exam.
Example
The conversation was desultory and lacked focus.
Example
The company's sales have been desultory this year.
Example
She took a desultory approach to her work.
desultory Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for desultory
Phrases with desultory
desultory remarks
remarks that are lacking in focus or direction
Example
His speech was full of desultory remarks that failed to address the main issue.
Example
I spent the afternoon doing some desultory reading, picking up books at random from the library shelves.
conversation that lacks focus or direction
Example
We had a desultory conversation about the weather before moving on to more important topics.
Origins of desultory
from Latin 'desultorius', meaning 'hopping, skipping'
Summary: desultory in Brief
The term 'desultory' [ˈdɛsəlt(ə)ri] describes things that lack a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. It can refer to activities like studying or working, as in 'She took a desultory approach to her work,' or to conversations that lack focus, as in 'The conversation was desultory and lacked focus.' 'Desultory' can also describe things that occur randomly or occasionally, such as 'The company's sales have been desultory this year.'
