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
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025
At Tanque Verde Ranch, one of the country’s top dude ranches, riders can meander through desert washes (seasonally dry riverbeds), climb rocky hillsides, and experience the quiet solitude of the open desert.
—Visit Tucson, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025
David Axe, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
These fighters were the anti-fascist Resistance—men who’d deserted the armies of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini and were preparing to fight for freedom.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 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
Plan your ceremony around the desert sunset before breaking for a night of dinner and dancing.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025
At Tanque Verde Ranch, one of the country’s top dude ranches, riders can meander through desert washes (seasonally dry riverbeds), climb rocky hillsides, and experience the quiet solitude of the open desert.
—Visit Tucson, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
The 5% of Russian troops who desert at some point in their military service roughly match the 5% of American troops who deserted during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early ‘70s.
—David Axe, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
These fighters were the anti-fascist Resistance—men who’d deserted the armies of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini and were preparing to fight for freedom.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 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
-
Heading them is none other than Robert Keller, who wasn’t killed after all, and now blames his big bro for abandoning him.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Indonesian government was floating a moratorium to stop the construction of new hotels, villas and nightclubs in Bali, in an effort to curb over tourism—an idea that was abandoned at the start of the year.—
Michelle Tchea,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With few options left, Adam begins considering and concocting ways to enact vengeance, but Basem, having been down that rageful path, advises him otherwise.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The department did not say how much money is left of the total $189 billion approved.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Brown’s research looks to arid locales like Sicily, where flourishing pistachio trees are rainfed with 90 percent less water than farmed pistachio trees in California.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
16 Apr. 2025
-
This town is pure California, with arid temps, soaring date palms, and bursts of impossibly red bougainvillea that spills from white adobe brick courtyards.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There are plenty of glaring examples, such as Steve Jobs and Google being rejected by some of the world’s most renowned VCs (https://www.bvp.com/anti-portfolio).—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Superior Court Judge Craig Collins from neighboring Gaston county also rejected it after Tench’s friends and family — his mother, sister and aunts — submitted and read aloud letters underlining the effect Tench’s disappearance and apparent death have had.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Warmer temperatures in Kansas City’s forecast After the rain, the Kansas City area will enter a quiet, dry period as temperatures warm into the weekend.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Gentle moisturizers: Your skin might feel dry, tight, and flaky, especially when the rash starts to scab.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Outreach workers who live among farmworkers are withdrawing a little, too.—
Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
After heated arguments and several conversations in chambers, Weinstein’s team agreed to withdraw the motion, so long as a stipulation was given to the jury about the notetaking.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This super-hydrating formula is packed with avocado and jojoba oils and complemented by yummy, musky floral notes, making quick work of thirsty tangles.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Trump’s thirstiest supporters are already seeking to either amend the Constitution or find a loophole through it, so don’t kid yourself and say that Trump is a lame duck in the way his predecessors since Dwight Eisenhower have been.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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