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.
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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
Mark David, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
The image, taken by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) instrument on the Landsat-9 satellite, captures the geological and environmental crossroads where desert winds and glacial meltwater converge.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Where else but California could a burning city give way to desert isolation in mere moments?
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 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
Click here for more photos of the California high-desert retreat.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
The image, taken by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) instrument on the Landsat-9 satellite, captures the geological and environmental crossroads where desert winds and glacial meltwater converge.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
Where else but California could a burning city give way to desert isolation in mere moments?
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
As well as finding comfort on arrival, Smith is determined that those who move on do not feel abandoned.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The novel can get busy—Taylor introduces each of Wyeth’s studio mates in the first chapter, then all but abandons half of them to squeeze in more significant characters—but there’s a warmth in the overcrowding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Markus Breitenecker, chief operating officer, is leaving his post with immediate effect.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and was assassinated in 2022 at a campaign rally, two years after leaving office.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite flowing through one of the world's most arid regions, the Hotan feeds ribbons of vegetation sprouting around its banks.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The Nobel Committee praised their work for enabling technologies that can separate toxic substances from wastewater and extract water vapor in arid environments.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The council had already rejected Allied once before, months earlier, over settlements — including back wages — that the company has had to pay out to current and former employees.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Teachers, students, and parents alike rejected the $850 million effort.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In warm weather, rent a paddleboard from the hotel and glide across Lake Estes, or warm up around the fire pits or in the dry sauna.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Anglers who want to keep their catch fresh on a long drive home are better served to cover fish in a dry livewell with ice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hamas fired towards Israeli forces beyond the Yellow Line – the line behind which Israeli troops have withdrawn according to the ceasefire deal – in three separate incidents on Sunday, according to another military official.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Afghanistan withdrew from a Twenty20 international tri-series in Pakistan following the deaths of three local cricketers, which the Afghanistan Cricket Board attributed to military strikes in Paktika province.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 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
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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
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The ladies are back with a fresh start, thirsty for power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and the same botanical oil blend as Weleda’s iconic Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream, this milky mist refreshes thirsty skin during both dry winter days and long afternoons spent in stale office air.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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