as in barren
land that is uninhabited or not fit for crops
we were lost in the desert for days without food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in discipline
usually deserts plural
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
the robbers got their just deserts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to abandon
to leave (a cause or party) often in order to take up another
the volunteer became disillusioned with his candidate and deserted to a political rival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leave
to cause to remain behind
deserted the kids at the food court for some independent shopping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in arid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 desert
Monica Haider, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The restaurant’s California desert patio is landscaped with native plants, succulents, boulders and a mature drought-resistant tree.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Banking deserts across the US Banking deserts are hardly unique to North Carolina.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
The temporary ban applies to areas within the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to a news release from the agency.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for desert
Noun
According to Islamic narrative, she was left alone in the desert in present-day Mecca with their son so that Abraham could follow God’s command.
—Monica Haider, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The restaurant’s California desert patio is landscaped with native plants, succulents, boulders and a mature drought-resistant tree.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025
Verb
Lucia accuses Maggie of desertion at one point in this week’s episode despite Maggie not actually trying to desert.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Banking deserts across the US Banking deserts are hardly unique to North Carolina.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Cocktail grapefruit grows wherever conventional grapefruit grows, although fruit quality is best, as with grapefruit generally, in desert or semi-desert conditions.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
The temporary ban applies to areas within the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to a news release from the agency.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 June 2025
-
Another noted that the Post tried to become a national rival to The New York Times and failed — abandoning its identity as a regional and D.C. insider paper in the process.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
In one case, the person had left the state overnight.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
After Naomi’s birth, Parker-Tyus returned with some of her strongest stats—even after a tough pregnancy that left her weak and sick.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
From Jack’s, guests can embark on a two-night foray into the vast Makgadikgadi Pans in a convoy of ATVs before making camp on Kubu Island, an outcropping of granite that rises from the arid plain.—
Scott Bay,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
-
Firefly Habitat Decline Fireflies in North America typically live east of the Rocky Mountains and prefer wet, humid climates over dry and arid ones.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
But judges reviewing other eligibility cases have rejected this interpretation as construing Alston beyond its actual words.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2025
-
If the deal is rejected, athletes can adjust the terms and resubmit or seek arbitration.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Honey can also soothe those struggling with dry scalps or skin diseases such as eczema.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
10 June 2025
-
Strain out the ice then add the ingredients back to the shaker for a vigorous dry shake to help build a rich foam.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
Related article The world’s second-largest gold storage suddenly has very long lines to withdraw bars As bonds have been volatile and the dollar has weakened amid tariff turmoil, weird investments like silver and platinum have emerged as a way to hedge against the tremendous uncertainty.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
-
Mercedes-Benz withdrew its guidance for the rest of 2025, citing volatility caused by the tariffs, and Volkswagen lowered its profit margin expectations to between 5% and 6%.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
While urban areas like Los Angeles are under mandatory drought restrictions to reduce strain on state reservoirs, many rural residents reliant on groundwater wells are waterless.—
Tribune Content Agency,
oregonlive,
27 Nov. 2022
-
Other eco-friendly measures include a solid waste incinerator to turn waste into non-toxic ash and a waterless urinal to reduce unnecessary usage.—
Camille Fine,
USA TODAY,
22 Aug. 2022
Adjective
-
One asset manager in Tehran described people’s mood to me as tired, angry, hungry, and thirsty.—
Suzanne Kianpour,
semafor.com,
11 June 2025
-
Fandom is always thirsty for this kind of drama, but perhaps especially so for a series like The White Lotus, which is all about scandal, betrayal and the woes of the rich and famous.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share