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
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Lizzo made the most of her time in the desert as she was also spotted hanging with Sydney Sweeney and The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills‘ Kyle Richards throughout the busy weekend.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
Whitaker Irvin Jr., Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Under the administration of President George W. Bush, doctors who fled the program were offered fast-track entry into the United States, and many deserted.
—Frances Robles, New York Times, 14 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
With the cost of a weekend at Coachella skirting at least $2,500, not everyone can afford to join the celebrity and influencer crowd at the music and arts festival in the Southern Californian desert.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Lizzo made the most of her time in the desert as she was also spotted hanging with Sydney Sweeney and The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills‘ Kyle Richards throughout the busy weekend.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Leadership In The Clean Energy Transition Business leaders can accelerate the transformation of energy deserts to energy hubs by prioritizing investments in alternative energy infrastructure through strategic partnerships with emerging clean energy innovators.
—Whitaker Irvin Jr., Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Under the administration of President George W. Bush, doctors who fled the program were offered fast-track entry into the United States, and many deserted.
—Frances Robles, New York Times, 14 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
-
Republicans who fall for this scheme are abandoning any pretense of free-market principles.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Even before Trump’s inauguration, Facebook owner Meta abandoned its practice of considering diverse candidates for open roles.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
They are expected to receive $86 million more in the coming years — potentially leaving more than half of the state's uncapped wells more vulnerable to incidents like the current spill in Garden Island Bay.—
Dan Ruetenik,
CBS News,
5 May 2025
-
What’s your take on Maggie leaving Negan to rot for a year?—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
The next generation overwinters underground as larvae, emerging as adults the following year, though development may take up to two years in arid climates.—
Owen Martin,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
-
In addition, in Utah and the arid West, farmers and ranchers worry about water, said Craig Buttars, the outgoing Utah Department of Agriculture and Food commissioner.—
Jessica Schreifels,
ProPublica,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The judge has now said that’s not good enough, and rejected Bungie’s motion to dismiss.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Shirley has discovered that Conrad was rejected for a job at UNIT eight years ago.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The box’s ability to keep its contents dry has earned it lots of praise.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
Atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.—
Susan Bard,
Health,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
The spacer might shut down, withdraw or become defensive, leaving the chaser feeling unheard and the spacer feeling emotionally ambushed.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
The Great Plains Theater Commons, in Omaha, Neb., got an email withdrawing a recommendation for a $35,000 grant for an annual play festival.—
Michael Paulson,
New York Times,
3 May 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
-
During the growing season, more than half of our residential water is used for our landscapes, particularly the ubiquitous and thirsty Kentucky bluegrass (which, despite the name, comes from Europe).—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
-
Their offense is thirsty, their defense disheveled.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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