wasteland

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wasteland' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place in disrepair or disuse, or to refer to a situation of total devastation. For example: "The area was filled with crumbling buildings and broken windows, a desolate wasteland."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a frozen wasteland economy and only government can revive it with life-giving breath.

The Guardian - Opinion

The wasteland map is a beautiful abstraction: a few buildings, mountains, a constantly-pinging radar attached to where my rangers are, and an X where my next destination is.

The Guardian - Tech

In the wasteland of electoral defeat, it is the voice that can most authoritatively account for the failings of the immediate past that shapes the debate about the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he has never had a proper job since leaving school at 16 and in fairness is unlikely to in today's economic wasteland.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), he's a "road warrior", a "burnt-out, desolate man", lost in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

The Guardian - Film

Early on Tuesday morning, the estate resembled a desolate wasteland.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Unless it's about dance-trained stage-school brats taking part in Strictly. Come on!) I have, in general, never encountered anything but politeness and friendliness, from Gallifrey Base to Second Life (I assume. I have not been recently. It's probably an apocalyptic cannibal survivalist wasteland out there these days) – until I outed myself as a no.

The Guardian

A 1,400-year-old 1,400-year-old 1,400-year-oldrophet spent a night, nowellands alone as another endangered fragment marooned in a ruBire wasTuwand.

The Guardian - Arts

Still, when you're stranded in industrial exurbia with no services in sight, at least you'll be able to take comfort in your mansard roof; and the view of the surrounding wasteland will thankfully be obscured by those tiny leaded windows.

The Guardian - Arts

Unlike port cities in Europe or America, Mumbai's port area has not become industrial wasteland, said Prasad Shetty, an architect and urban planner who has studied the area.

The Guardian

When you take your baklava out of the oven, you could be forgiven for being disappointed by the dry and crackly wasteland you've produced – which is where the syrup comes in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wasteland" to vividly describe both physical environments and metaphorical situations lacking resources or value. For example, describe a physical location that is devoid of life or a situation that is unproductive.

Common error

While "wasteland" can be effective, avoid overusing it in formal or business writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "brownfield site" or "economically depressed area" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "wasteland" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a place that is barren, desolate, or unproductive. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English, denoting either a physical environment lacking resources or a metaphorical situation of devastation. For example, it can describe a post-apocalyptic landscape or a period of economic decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

The Economist

17%

The Guardian

11%

Less common in

Arts

6%

Lifestyle

4%

Tech

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wasteland" is a noun commonly used to describe a desolate, barren, or unproductive area, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Examples from The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times illustrate its application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of its strong negative connotation and consider more precise alternatives in formal settings. Effective use of "wasteland" vividly conveys a sense of emptiness or lack of value, making it a powerful tool for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barren land

Focuses specifically on the lack of vegetation or productivity of the land.

desolate area

Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of inhabitants or activity.

barren landscape

Highlights the unproductive and often visually unappealing nature of the land.

infertile ground

Specifies the inability of the soil to support plant growth.

abandoned territory

Indicates that the area has been left behind and is no longer maintained or inhabited.

degraded environment

Highlights the negative impact on the natural environment, often due to pollution or overuse.

economic desert

Uses a metaphorical extension of the word in economy

cultural vacuum

Metaphorically describes an environment lacking cultural or intellectual stimulation.

spiritual emptiness

Refers to a lack of meaning or purpose in life, a metaphorical use of the term.

unproductive space

Highlights the lack of output or benefit derived from a particular area or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "wasteland" in a sentence?

You can use "wasteland" to describe a physical area, such as "The drought turned the farmland into a "wasteland"", or to describe a metaphorical situation, such as "His career became a creative "wasteland" after he lost his passion".

What are some synonyms for "wasteland"?

Synonyms for "wasteland" include "barren land", "desert", "desolate area", or "barrens", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "wasteland" in formal writing?

While "wasteland" is a valid word, consider the tone and audience of your formal writing. In some cases, a more specific or technical term might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "economic "wasteland"", you might use "economically depressed area".

What's the difference between "wasteland" and "wilderness"?

"Wasteland" implies a lack of value, productivity, or life, often due to human activity or natural disaster. "Wilderness", on the other hand, suggests a natural, untouched area, which can be valuable in its own way. A "wilderness" is not necessarily a "wasteland".