Definition of wildernessnext
as in wild
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation released the wolf back into the wilderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wilderness This charming home is located in Dixon—a small artist's village in the hills of Northern New Mexico—with wilderness walks straight from the door. Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 29 June 2026 This year Stan and Bud had elected to take pot luck with us in the vast Canadian wilderness where there are at least 10,000 fabulous fishing spots waiting to be found. Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 According to the newspaper, Day-Lewis brought the gun everywhere with him, including to a Christmas dinner, because a hunter in the vast wilderness would never be without their weapon. Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The search and rescue personnel posted up near the top of Mount Elbert, the state’s highest peak, last Sunday and offered hikers free refreshments, as well as safety tips for enjoying Colorado’s mountain wilderness. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wilderness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilderness
Noun
  • Some of this may sound a little wild.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026
  • Seafood, when caught wild, varies in price due to water temperatures, spawning, overfishing and other factors.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Sitting on a patch of desert sand, the wind phone created by Colin Campbell and Gail Lerner consists of a wooden box sitting atop a cabinet with a chair nearby.
    Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain (ERNEST), developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, recently completed a 16-mile (26 kilometers) trek through the desert in Southern California.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Like previous host countries, Turkey is likely to use the summit to put its own security concerns and defense industry on the agenda.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • And, in a country struck by tragedy, this loss felt close to home.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • This exercise immerses you in the outdoors and encourages you to appreciate even the smallest patches of green.
    Jancee Dunn, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • Following Saturday's incident, the Beech Grove VFD offered tips about lightning safety in the outdoors that included getting out of lakes, ponds, and pools immediately; avoiding sheltering under isolated trees; and moving away from fences, windmills, and power lines.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wilderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilderness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wilderness

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!