as in deserts
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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Recent Examples of barrens
The population surge caused widespread urchin barrens across the islands.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Given the surrounding terrain, largely comprising volcanic barrens and lava fields, the risk of wildfire remains low, and no life-threatening impacts have been identified.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Given the surrounding terrain, largely comprising volcanic barrens and lava fields, the risk of wildfire remains low, and no life-threatening impacts have been identified.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barrens
deserts
Noun
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It was implemented to address attorney deserts, lack of training and poor compensation for attorneys and minimal support for clients.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Even the famously dry deserts of Joshua Tree National Park come to life during spring, when rainwater collects in the park’s basins and valleys, creating just the right conditions for flowers to burst through the sandy surface.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barrens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barrens. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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