Wasteland

/ˈweɪstˌlænd/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A barren or uncultivated area of land.

The old factory was surrounded by a wasteland of rusted machinery and debris.

An area that is bleak, desolate, or devoid of life.

After the drought, the once thriving farm had become a wasteland.

A situation characterized by a lack of progress or productivity.

The project turned into a wasteland of wasted resources and missed deadlines.

From Middle English wasteland, from wast (barren) + land.

wasteland mentality

A state of hopelessness or despair where no positive action is taken.

emotional wasteland

A state of emotional numbness or lack of feelings.

desolation

A state of complete emptiness or destruction.

abandonment

The action or fact of abandoning or being abandoned.

A situation that feels hopeless or without promise.

After failing the exam again, I feel like I'm in a total wasteland right now.

An area that is not thriving or is neglected.

That part of town is a real wasteland; there's nothing to do there.