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
Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
The term superbloom refers to a phenomenon in which huge numbers of wildflowers bloom simultaneously, creating a spectacular sight across the floor of deserts and other arid territories.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Chase Travel Chase Travel’s 26 Trips to Take in 2026 highlights where booking demand and cultural curiosity are converging, with destinations spanning rugged deserts, coastal hideaways, Arctic wilderness, and global cultural capitals.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Over 35% of counties in America are considered OB deserts, or maternal care deserts, meaning there aren’t any obstetric clinicians or hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
In Indiana, 24% of counties, all of which are rural, are classified as maternity care deserts without obstetric providers and hospitals offering obstetric services.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Reclaiming deserts Deserts are notoriously difficult to reclaim.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
Yes, America has deserts and sand.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
Parents in childcare deserts have few options.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
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
There are about 20 hamster species found in a variety of habitats, from deserts and plains to dunes and agricultural fields across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
The term superbloom refers to a phenomenon in which huge numbers of wildflowers bloom simultaneously, creating a spectacular sight across the floor of deserts and other arid territories.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Chase Travel Chase Travel’s 26 Trips to Take in 2026 highlights where booking demand and cultural curiosity are converging, with destinations spanning rugged deserts, coastal hideaways, Arctic wilderness, and global cultural capitals.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Over 35% of counties in America are considered OB deserts, or maternal care deserts, meaning there aren’t any obstetric clinicians or hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
In Indiana, 24% of counties, all of which are rural, are classified as maternity care deserts without obstetric providers and hospitals offering obstetric services.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Reclaiming deserts Deserts are notoriously difficult to reclaim.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
Yes, America has deserts and sand.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
Parents in childcare deserts have few options.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
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
-
For Hochul, the discipline is finding ways to do more with less, the momentum is buying into voter demands for affordability, and the ambition is to get reelected.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The challenge—and opportunity—for investors is to distinguish not just which strategies are compelling, but which managers have the discipline and edge to execute them.—
Carrie McCabe,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In that view, Portland rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The bill also rejects a funding cut proposed for the Transportation Security Administration by the White House, which had sought a 3-4% cut to TSA staffing levels — with half to stop staffing exit lanes that let people re-enter public areas from secure parts of an airport.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The end of Pittsburgh’s season leaves a rather large elephant in the room.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Measles can live in the air for up to two hours after someone infected with measles leaves the room, according to the health department.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And according to Minnesota corrections data, 84 people were transferred directly from state prisons to ICE custody in 2025.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Therefore, each of these systems needs to determine its own quantum correction approach.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Edward cruelly abandons his wife to pursue a wealthy and high-status noblewoman (Bella Heathcote).—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Using three boundaries to solve the problem The new study abandons the idea of a purely passive shell.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Some coaches did complain after reporting particularly brazen cases of tampering, pushing for punishments and seeing nothing happen to offenders.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The punishment fit the crime of murdering the law enforcement officer and father of three in cold blood.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Based on that estimate, the board persuaded members to approve an $18,750 assessment per person.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
That’s the highest assessment level available through criteria like teacher-child interactions and program management.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Block is in the fourth grade, after his family moves from Indiana to Texas, his mother withdraws him from school, convinced that a traditional academic environment will stifle his budding writerly gifts.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Haru and Luis love competing in Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, but after tragedy strikes, Haru withdraws into isolation.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserts. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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