as in discipline
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
the robbers got their just deserts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rejects
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 leaves
to cause to remain behind
deserted the kids at the food court for some independent shopping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deserts
Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Post-Order 66 Jedi are often just lesser versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda, skulking around in swamps and deserts, but this duo can't seem to stay away from the action.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Elephants are among the planet’s most majestic creatures, gentle giants who walk steadfastly through the savannas, forests and deserts of Africa and Asia.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 2 Apr. 2026
More than one‑third of the state’s counties are considered maternity care deserts, meaning there are no obstetric providers or birthing facilities, according to the nonprofit group March of Dimes.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Satellite communication enables users to stay connected in remote areas such as mountains, deserts, offshore locations, and disaster zones.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
High temperatures on March 29 were expected to reach well into the 90s across the lower deserts.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Additional research in Houston The map of Houston’s mental health deserts is intended to help community leaders and policymakers address disparities in accessing treatment, the researchers said.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Isabel Greenberg, the upcoming adaptation follows a young bride named Cherry (scream queen Maika Monroe), whose husband (Amir El-Masry) deserts her in the care of the sexy Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) and her maid, Hero (Emma Corrin).
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
In California, the warning is in effect for southeastern counties, with temperatures forecast to reach 111 F in Indian Wells Valley; and 115 F in Coachella Valley and San Diego County deserts.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Stephanie Morton, executive director of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies-The Montana Coalition, said more than half of Montana's counties are designated as maternity care deserts.
—Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Post-Order 66 Jedi are often just lesser versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda, skulking around in swamps and deserts, but this duo can't seem to stay away from the action.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Elephants are among the planet’s most majestic creatures, gentle giants who walk steadfastly through the savannas, forests and deserts of Africa and Asia.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 2 Apr. 2026
More than one‑third of the state’s counties are considered maternity care deserts, meaning there are no obstetric providers or birthing facilities, according to the nonprofit group March of Dimes.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Satellite communication enables users to stay connected in remote areas such as mountains, deserts, offshore locations, and disaster zones.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
High temperatures on March 29 were expected to reach well into the 90s across the lower deserts.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Additional research in Houston The map of Houston’s mental health deserts is intended to help community leaders and policymakers address disparities in accessing treatment, the researchers said.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sean, 17, deserts his post in the midst of the Iraq war and returns to England.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Isabel Greenberg, the upcoming adaptation follows a young bride named Cherry (scream queen Maika Monroe), whose husband (Amir El-Masry) deserts her in the care of the sexy Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) and her maid, Hero (Emma Corrin).
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
In California, the warning is in effect for southeastern counties, with temperatures forecast to reach 111 F in Indian Wells Valley; and 115 F in Coachella Valley and San Diego County deserts.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserts
Noun
-
And so, far from clearing up confusion, the provisions have sparked criticism from numerous TV writers and producers, including Academy members, who think the guidelines leave far too much room for AI to have a meaningful role on writing, acting and other creative disciplines in Emmy nominees.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid can be front-footed and organised, pressing high with discipline and intent.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her death certificate lists the cause as accidental, but her dad rejects that with every fiber of his being.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Lyons, like Kennedy and other anti-vaccine advocates, rejects the idea that MAHA is anti-vaccine, instead casting it as an effort to challenge taboos and champion medical freedom.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As part of this singularly unconventional deal, CBS pays not a red cent for the privilege of covering the tourney, and while that leaves as much as $125 million in rights fees on the table, Augusta more than makes up for that by way of the gate, merch and concessions.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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This desperate situation leaves Republicans with no choice but to destroy that which threatens to destroy them.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since then, it’s been downhill, with a brief dip into correction territory — a decline of 10% or more from a recent high — in late March.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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However, advanced-level creators who want to edit Raw images in a desktop app will want to use a correction profile to remove the barrel distortion the zoom shows at wide angles.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But what happens when a poet abandons this essential tool?—
Patrick Dundon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The group quickly abandons the car, leaving the infant alone with at least one of the car doors open for an hour.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The jury will decide Horner’s punishment.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ryobi is great for occasional-use, light-duty stuff that needs to work but doesn’t have to withstand eight-hour daily punishment on a job site.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That is also reflected in the latest analysis of the bill by senate staff, which includes possible new wording focusing only on the assessment and not on establishing a new policy to bring back grizzlies.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Park Sunwon, another lawmaker who attended the briefing, made similar comments on the agency’s assessment of the girl’s recent military appearances.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each retiree withdraws $50,000 per year.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Tax lien changes Fresh Start also introduced changes to how and when the IRS files and withdraws tax liens, and to the dollar amounts that trigger the issuance of a lien.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserts. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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