1
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
if tobacco fields aren't allowed to lie idle once every few years, they will become barren
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
the pear tree appears to be barren
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
that line of investigation proved barren, so the police tried other avenues
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
their proposal for revitalizing the downtown business district is utterly barren of useful ideas
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in desert
land that is uninhabited or not fit for crops
lived out in the barrens where it was impossible to grow anything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barren
Aysegül Savas, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
The moon, for example, is a relatively small, barren world scarred by craters and dark lunar seas born of brutal asteroid bombardments that occurred billions of years ago.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 June 2025
Work and plans are changing what was once a barren landscape into a new neighborhood.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
As the moon progresses through the different phases of the lunar calendar, the sun's light throws new impact sites, barren plains, and swathes of broken landscapes into relief as prime targets for amateur astronomers wielding binoculars and backyard telescopes.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barren
Adjective
Blue and green and red, swaying their barren masts, like the sea dressing up for a wedding.
—Aysegül Savas, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
The moon, for example, is a relatively small, barren world scarred by craters and dark lunar seas born of brutal asteroid bombardments that occurred billions of years ago.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 June 2025
Work and plans are changing what was once a barren landscape into a new neighborhood.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
As the moon progresses through the different phases of the lunar calendar, the sun's light throws new impact sites, barren plains, and swathes of broken landscapes into relief as prime targets for amateur astronomers wielding binoculars and backyard telescopes.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barren
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barren
Adjective
-
Griffith also describes in vivid detail the desolate Hopi landscape and the villages atop the three mesas.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
Despite its desolate appearance, Bouvet is surprisingly rich in bird life.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Between 1962 and 1975, the U.S. and Mexico bred and released more than 94 billion sterile flies to eradicate the pest, according to the USDA.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2025
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Subsequently, the agriculture department increased sterile fly deliveries and supported additional surveillance programs, which led to livestock imports restarting in February 2025.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
First responders also attempted to revive Riccardo, but were unsuccessful, the outlet added.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
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All attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful, Park Service officials said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Noun
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The United States is full of many different landscapes that range from vast deserts, beaches, towering mountains, stunning coastlines, and lush forests.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
4 July 2025
-
Fire restrictions highlighted the urgency of staying safe in Arizona’s forests, deserts and scrublands.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Many are located in impoverished barrios dominated by criminals — who are now demanding a cut of their tuition fees.—
John Otis,
NPR,
7 July 2025
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The ignorant need cultural immersion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which tells the story of those who fled the Cuban island that went from a free, prosperous republic to an oppressive, impoverished dictatorship within a single generation.—
Luka Ladan,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
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This group saw military responses as futile, as Iran was assumed to have escalation dominance.—
JAMES JEFFREY,
Foreign Affairs,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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The veteran safety, who turns 27 this month, approaches the final year of his contract (which has a void year in 2026).—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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The Philadelphia Flyers filled their center void by signing Christian Dvorak for $5.4 million for next season and also got a goalie in a thin market, signing Dan Vladar for $6.7 million over two years.—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barren.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barren. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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