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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 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
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Brisk mornings, blue skies and dry heat set the scene for holiday memories at Southern California’s desert resorts.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
The story centers on a man who travels to Pontianak carrying his deceased sister’s remains, hoping to honor her dying wishes while tracking down the father who deserted them.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Noun
The South Coast Air Basin includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 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
Verb
Sennott and her costars speak with an irritatingly fake affect, are shallower than a puddle in the desert and prize selfishness, indolence and artifice.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Brisk mornings, blue skies and dry heat set the scene for holiday memories at Southern California’s desert resorts.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
We were situated in an immense valley peppered with boulders and desert agave plants—the site, Mikkelsen told me, of a winter village of the Kumeyaay people, who have inhabited the region for more than 10,000 years.
—Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
The story centers on a man who travels to Pontianak carrying his deceased sister’s remains, hoping to honor her dying wishes while tracking down the father who deserted them.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
In 2022, Fox Weather had reported that United Airlines would abandon its request for passengers to open window shades upon landing after quietly beginning to encourage it in 2020.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Weekly Newsletter Hamida’s first such meeting is with a twelve-year-old Hindu girl named Kammo, whose father abandoned her after the death of her mother.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bagsmart Tech Organizer Nothing feels messier than cords tangled at the bottom of your bag mid-travel day, which is why this smart tech organizer never leaves my suitcase.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
-
After September’s move, Kalshi traders quickly repriced the rest of 2025, concentrating on a two-cut scenario (October and December) and leaving a tail for only one more cut or, less likely, a larger November–December adjustment.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In the arid landscape of Western Australia, a carnivorous marsupial once roamed.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The rugged terrain and semi-arid setting mean that carrying sufficient water in the outdoors is essential.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 2023 edition opened a month later as Israel intensified its bombing campaign on Gaza, which has since killed more than 67,000 people, injured another 170,000 and razed the Palestinian territory to the ground, prompting accusations of genocide, which Israel has strongly rejected.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Wyden’s aide rejected outright the concept that the Finance Committee lacks proper jurisdiction.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Dry the countertops with a clean, dry cloth to prevent water spots.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Buff the area with a clean, dry cloth to finish.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Per Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of ESPN, the University of Michigan and Moore appealed the case but have since withdrawn their appeals.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The South American country withdrew visa-free access in April in response to the three countries barring Brazilian passport holders from visa-free access.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 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
-
For example, antipsychotic drugs such as Zyprexa (olanzapine) can make a person extremely thirsty.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The ladies are back with a fresh start, thirsty for power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share