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
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The culminating event took place roughly a 45-minute drive into the Agafay desert to the new five-star hilltop hotel Kasbah D’If.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But on Saturday, his powers of recovery deserted him, and – by the end of the day – so had his lead.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 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
Developers treated deserts, which historically lacked large-scale urban development, as a canvas for new ideas.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The culminating event took place roughly a 45-minute drive into the Agafay desert to the new five-star hilltop hotel Kasbah D’If.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Verb
As befits such an environment, his handling of tactile stuff—not just silk and fur but bread and brickwork, too—never deserted him.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But on Saturday, his powers of recovery deserted him, and – by the end of the day – so had his lead.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 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
-
Even as anthropologists were decisively abandoning totemism, however, the idea was gaining cultural credibility elsewhere.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Mason’s project is a prime example of how journalists are reaching audiences who have abandoned traditional TV for streaming.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Storrie was spotted leaving the Carlyle Hotel with a trail of fabric wrapped around his neck, blowing in the wind.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
5 May 2026
-
The Knicks didn’t leave that first-round fire in Atlanta.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
In arid regions such as Chile’s Salar de Atacama, mining activities account for up to 65% of total regional water use, competing with agriculture and ecosystems.—
Kaveh Madani,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Water inequality is visible from the air, where lush, green land around settlements often contrasts sharply with arid Palestinian land.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Browns, which are usually but not always brown, include spent perennials, dry leaves, cut-up (undyed) leather, twigs, paper and straw.—
Jessica Damiano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Much of Culebra is now protected under the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves mangroves, dry forest, and charming coastal habitats used by seabirds and marine life.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For 2026, you are allowed to withdraw up to $20,000 for allowable educational expenses.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 lays out a timeline for when lawmakers must be notified of hostilities and when a president is required to withdraw American forces from a conflict in the absence of congressional authorization.—
May 1,
CBS News,
1 May 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
-
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
-
In addition to cleaning up the track faster, the new owners are trying to get an average of 5,000 hungry and thirsty fans back in their seats faster.—
Lori Punko,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Fast food chains, thirsty for new ways to grow, are amping up their beverage offerings.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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