Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - desolate

~1 adj 1 a place that is desolate is empty and looks sad because there are no people there and not much activity  (desolate moorland) 2 someone who is desolate feels very sad and lonely - desolately adv - desolation n ~2 v T usually passive literary 1 to make someone feel very sad and lonely  (Martin was desolated by his wife's death.) 2 to make a place seem empty and sad  (He returned to the desolated camp.)