1
Core quality
Lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
Example
The meeting became a desultory discussion of unrelated complaints.
desultory
/ˈdesəltəri/ · DES-ul-tor-eeadjective
Lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
Use desultory to express this relationship precisely: lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
What desultory Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
A desultory search failed to uncover the missing record.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The essay's desultory structure obscures its central claim.
Use desultory Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The meeting became a desultory discussion of unrelated complaints.
A desultory search failed to uncover the missing record.
The essay's desultory structure obscures its central claim.
Precision Matters
Desultory overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
desultory
vs.Means lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
haphazard
Means random, disorganised, and lacking a deliberate method.
desultory
vs.Means lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
erratic
Means unpredictable, irregular, or inconsistent.
desultory
vs.Means lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
assiduous
Means showing persistent care, attention, and effort.
desultory
vs.Means lacking a clear plan, consistency, purpose, or sustained attention.
coherent
Means clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
Test desultory in Context
The investigation lacked a clear, sustained plan or purpose.
1
Because the investigation moved randomly from one lead to another, it remained ___ and ineffective.