1
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a desultory search for something of interest on TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of desultory
If nothing else, that suggested negotiations were indeed ongoing – a positive sign in otherwise desultory U.S.-Russian relations.
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Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2024
Freddie Freeman provided the thunder in Dodger Stadium on Friday night, lining a grand slam into the right-field bullpen in the eighth inning to turn what looked like a desultory loss to the Boston Red Sox into a dramatic 4-1 victory in front of a crowd of 51,562.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024
Meanwhile, the Cougars lost their head coach, Kyle Smith, to Stanford; the Beavers are fresh off another desultory season; and both programs were battered by attrition, with their best players entering the transfer portal.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 June 2024
What can seem desultory to the point of randomness is actually quite purposeful.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for desultory 
Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2024
Freddie Freeman provided the thunder in Dodger Stadium on Friday night, lining a grand slam into the right-field bullpen in the eighth inning to turn what looked like a desultory loss to the Boston Red Sox into a dramatic 4-1 victory in front of a crowd of 51,562.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024
Meanwhile, the Cougars lost their head coach, Kyle Smith, to Stanford; the Beavers are fresh off another desultory season; and both programs were battered by attrition, with their best players entering the transfer portal.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 June 2024
What can seem desultory to the point of randomness is actually quite purposeful.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for desultory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desultory
Adjective
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One random knock at the door in 2006 would lead to their house becoming part of television history.Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
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Scattering can also cause a random brightening/dimming of different areas of the spectrum, called scintillation, and somewhat analogous to the twinkling of stars caused by our atmosphere.John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 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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One thing Sacco is not concerned about with Frederic is a wandering focus because of his contract situation.Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2024
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The wandering nerve was apparent to the first anatomists, notably Galen, the Greek polymath who lived until around the year 216.R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 29 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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The outcomes can feel especially arbitrary when everyone is telling more or less the same story.Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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Pay special attention to changing policies or franchises imposing additional fees that seem arbitrary or exploitative.Michael McFall, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Like most large language models, Google’s Gemini AI is susceptible to what are known as indirect prompt injection attacks.Davey Winder, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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Even the indirect reference to the economy’s troubles is unusual in an address from Mr. Xi, who uses these annual speeches to trumpet the government’s accomplishments over the previous year.Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And if his first term is any indication, Trump’s erratic management is likely to produce a ballooning national debt and policy incoherence, not a lean and coordinated government.Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
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Darnold was as erratic as he’s been all season, and the defense was again dominated by the Lions’ balanced attack.Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The concerto can appear undisciplined and discursive, with a running time of 70 minutes, a medley-like approach to style and a finale that brings in a male choir for a paean to nature.Joshua Barone, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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Their discursive subjects might include an elevator speech to prep a significant other about the gaudiness of the family fortune.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near desultory
Cite this Entry
“Desultory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desultory. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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