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
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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
-
The number of remote job postings has declined, but this shift shouldn’t be seen as a signal to abandon what many knowledge workers value most.—
Duane Tursi,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
So Ogle, who had nothing to hang on to but that car, and sadly separated from her only daughter who lives in Utah, saw her car stolen but recovered and abandoned the next day in front of an apartment building.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 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
-
Destroying forests creates deserts, sandstorms, dry riverbeds and arid croplands.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
As a kid growing up in Hermosillo, the biggest city in the arid northern Mexican state of Sonora, Ruben Leal took the region’s signature flour tortillas for granted.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
26 May 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
-
The Dolphins have maintained contact with veteran free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas, who rejected a Miami offer earlier this month.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
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
-
During questioning by Hildreth, Lee described withdrawing a total of $1,500 from ATMs in Vegas, with a bank statement listing the three withdrawals over two days.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
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
-
If your baby seems thirsty, offering them breast milk or formula more often is best.—
Brandi Jones,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
-
Some possible contenders have been thirstier than others.—
Lisa Lerer,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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