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
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Recent Examples of desert
Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
That suggests that the prototype will have no trouble speeding off through the desert, though some of that power may be wasted on paved roads.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2026
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
His case was linked to proceedings against the civil association FundaRedes, though relatives and human-rights groups believe the real target was his brother, who had deserted the armed forces two years earlier.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for desert
Noun
Simon ultimately stages a jailbreak, busting Trevor out of the top-secret desert prison and flying them both away to safety.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
That suggests that the prototype will have no trouble speeding off through the desert, though some of that power may be wasted on paved roads.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Cillian Murphy starred in the inaugural film of the series, 28 Days Later (2002), as Jim, who wakes up from a coma to find a once-bustling London deserted amidst a Rage Virus outbreak that began four weeks earlier.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
His case was linked to proceedings against the civil association FundaRedes, though relatives and human-rights groups believe the real target was his brother, who had deserted the armed forces two years earlier.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
Restaurant tables sat empty, business windows went dark and students’ desks were abandoned in several cities across the country Friday amid a nationwide strike in protest of the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
According to charging documents, officers later found Seymour’s apartment unlocked and abandoned, her vehicle parked at Salt Lake City International Airport, and a notebook outlining plans to discard phones and documents.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Such vague commands, the court said, leave agents guessing how to respond during fast-moving protest situations and expose them to possible contempt sanctions.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The auction house leaves behind its more cloistered Madison Avenue home for airy galleries in an 80-foot glass atrium, as well as an opulent neoclassical rotunda in the historic Steinway Hall.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Already, 10 times more water evaporates off Arizona’s arid landscape and fitful rivers.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of energy-efficient, chemical-free extraction is particularly promising for both arid climates and urban settings where traditional AWGs underperform.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That attempt was rejected, and in October 2023, LIV’s application was formally denied.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Jimenez, in part, criticized Gilbert’s proposal to put a commissioner on the panel that recommends an inspector general candidate for the commission to either accept or reject.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s infused with hydrating ingredients, including mirsalehi honey and argan oil, which work together to replenish moisture in dry, frizzy hair.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the summer of 2025, Wy’East Mountain Academy, located at Mount Hood in Oregon, debuted the largest airbag and dry slope in North America, 80 feet wide and 200 feet long.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Canadian national team skeleton coach Joe Cecchini has spoken out about the sudden national controversy surrounding his team's decision to withdraw athletes from an Olympic qualifier, costing American Katie Uhlaender a chance to make the Milan Cortina Winter Games.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.—
Jason Phillips,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
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
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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
-
Energy vampires are everywhere, thirsty for a selfie or a sound bite or a Zoom.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Wilted leaves are the first sign your plant is thirsty.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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