1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a desultory search for something of interest on TV
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rambling
passing from one topic to another
a desultory discussion about the news of the day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desultory
Its most striking element is a tall glassy lobby that will provide a grand entrance from the new plaza, but the rest of the building is driven by functional massing that’s been sheathed with a desultory screen of metal and glass.
—
Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
There are no twisted strings, no mangled head, no desultory tossing of the useless implement to the side.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Trade between the states remains strong, yet communication between the two countries, once robust, is now mostly desultory meetings between officials and foreign ministers.
—Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2021
The Expos finished 52-110. — 1943 and 1916 Athletics, 20 in a row: Mack (not Mauch) staggered through a desultory August 1943, that included 24 losses in the last 25 games of the month.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for desultory
Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
There are no twisted strings, no mangled head, no desultory tossing of the useless implement to the side.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Trade between the states remains strong, yet communication between the two countries, once robust, is now mostly desultory meetings between officials and foreign ministers.
—Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2021
The Expos finished 52-110. — 1943 and 1916 Athletics, 20 in a row: Mack (not Mauch) staggered through a desultory August 1943, that included 24 losses in the last 25 games of the month.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for desultory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory
Adjective
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Choosing a random cabin location Choose your cabin location with careful consideration and a strategic approach.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Cherry rues the random nature of these instances of trauma, which explode only to be forgotten five minutes later, subsumed beneath the next crisis.—
Sam Worley,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 Dec. 2024
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His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC News,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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By simply using conversational speech, a wandering internet searcher can quickly receive answers in an easy to understand format.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
6 Mar. 2025
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As the wandering Matthew, Rankin lets contrasting depictions of tentative homecoming and wondrous discovery play out on his face.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The user is urged to visit a website and pay an arbitrary toll amount to avoid a $50 fine.—
Dan Avery,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2025
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His morning rants and arbitrary policies only harm the economy.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the region, about 48 percent of total taxes are derived from indirect measures, according to the most recent Latin America Economic Outlook report.—
Nana Ama Sarfo,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Viewers can also use an indirect viewing method, like a pinhole projector, in order to indirectly see the eclipse occur through shadows, but this must be done with care.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And as it’s been for most of the last few weeks, the market’s slide on Tuesday was erratic and dizzying.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
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In the year before she was killed, Mary had called BSO 14 times regarding Nathan’s threats and increasingly erratic behavior, according to a log of BSO calls that the Herald reviewed.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As an impressionist, Carvey's style was more, well, impressionist — his gabbling, discursive George H.W. Bush spinning out further and further while remaining resolutely tethered to some measure of loony reality (taking a similar approach for his recent recurring stint as President Joe Biden).—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
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His more discursive but no less insightful book pushes back against another feature of Obama’s view of U.S. foreign policy: the president’s deep skepticism about the ability of U.S. military force to achieve meaningful or lasting political objectives.—
Kori Schake,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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