desert

usually deserts pl  suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense the robbers got their just deserts Synonyms castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), discipline, nemesis, penalty, wrathRelated Words reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance; assessment, charge, fine, mulct; example, sentence; confinement, imprisonment, incarceration; condemnation, damnation, denouncement; censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproofNear Antonyms amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; exemption, immunity, impunity; release; commutation, reprieve; absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment; condonation, disregard, overlooking

1 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 defect, rat (on)Related Words abandon, abdicate, abjure, apostatize, cut off, disown, forsake, quit, reject, renounce, repudiate, spurn; renege; depart, go, leave, withdrawNear Antonyms adhere (to), cling (to), stick (to or with); cherish, cultivate, foster

2 to cause to remain behind deserted the kids at the food court for some independent shopping Synonyms abandon, leave, forsake, maroon, quit, strandRelated Words discard, ditch, dump, fling, jettison, junk, scrap, shed, shuck (off), throw away, throw out; deliver, give up, hand over, relinquish, surrender, yield; escape, retreat (from), take off (from), vacate, withdraw (from); abjure, cut off, disown, reject, renounce, repudiate, separate (from); sacrifice; distance; disregard, forget, ignore, neglectNear Antonyms harbor, have, hold, keep, own, possess, reserve, retain, withhold; redeem, rescue, saveAntonyms reclaim