desert 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈde-zərt How to pronounce desert (audio)
Definition of desertnext
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

desert

2 of 4

noun (2)

di-ˈzərt How to pronounce desert (audio)
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

desert

3 of 4

verb

di-ˈzərt How to pronounce desert (audio)
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

desert

4 of 4

adjective

as in arid

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb desert contrast with its synonyms?

The words abandon and forsake are common synonyms of desert. While all three words mean "to leave without intending to return," desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to desert?

The words abandon and desert can be used in similar contexts, but abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

When would forsake be a good substitute for desert?

The meanings of forsake and desert largely overlap; however, forsake suggests an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical dangers.

a forsaken lover

How does the verb desert contrast with its synonyms?

The words abandon and forsake are common synonyms of desert. While all three words mean "to leave without intending to return," desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to desert?

The words abandon and desert can be used in similar contexts, but abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

When would forsake be a good substitute for desert?

The meanings of forsake and desert largely overlap; however, forsake suggests an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical dangers.

a forsaken lover

How does the verb desert contrast with its synonyms?

The words abandon and forsake are common synonyms of desert. While all three words mean "to leave without intending to return," desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to desert?

The words abandon and desert can be used in similar contexts, but abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

When would forsake be a good substitute for desert?

The meanings of forsake and desert largely overlap; however, forsake suggests an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical dangers.

a forsaken lover

How does the verb desert contrast with its synonyms?

The words abandon and forsake are common synonyms of desert. While all three words mean "to leave without intending to return," desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to desert?

The words abandon and desert can be used in similar contexts, but abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

When would forsake be a good substitute for desert?

The meanings of forsake and desert largely overlap; however, forsake suggests an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical dangers.

a forsaken lover

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desert
Noun
Lonely mountain tops, desert interiors, Arctic ice floes, or the vast frozen ice sheets of Antarctica are remote places that come to mind immediately. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 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
Verb
Support for Israel has plummeted, hitting a record low as Democrats and independents desert the longtime ally. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Tehran’s streets are deserted Tehran’s streets have been largely deserted with people sheltering during airstrikes. —Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 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
  1. abandon
  2. leave
  3. arid
  4. reject
  5. dry
  6. withdraw
  7. waterless
  8. thirsty
Verb
  • Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.
    — Julian Camejo, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • It sat abandoned until 1969, when a group of Native American activists occupied the island and remained there for the next two years, according to NPS.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of abandon
Verb
  • These learnings now sit at the foundation of the Buahan concept and not only ensure that the hotel leaves a positive impact on the community, but also provide guests a level of immersion into the Balinese way of life that few other hotels of this caliber have managed to deliver.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of leave
Adjective
  • Boise, like much of Idaho, has an arid high desert climate, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Should the ranching economy here disappear, the knowledge of keeping this semi-arid landscape productive and healthy will disappear with it.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of arid
Verb
  • Olsson rejects The Athletic’s offer to take cover inside the coffee shop.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, for example, the UK government rejected plans by a Chinese company, Ming Yang, to invest in a Scottish factory to produce wind turbine blades, citing national security reasons.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of reject
Adjective
  • Though the state is seeing a surface water supply far above average, March’s heat shock has left many less confident about the fate of water supply for the upcoming dry season.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • From December to January, Loni and other cities across northern India routinely grapple with a severe spike in pollution during the cold, dry winter months.
    — Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of dry
Verb
  • In the face of growing opposition generated in part by allegations of his misconduct, Gaetz withdrew.
    — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Each retiree withdraws $50,000 per year.
    — Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of withdraw
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
Definition of waterless
Adjective
  • Conversely, a dry and thirsty soil bed retains snowmelt come spring, inadvertently allowing for more evaporative loss and water uptake by vegetation, and leaving little for stream flows.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Above and beyond anything else, this is a story of kindness and inclusivity, which everyone’s thirsty for.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of thirsty

Browse Nearby Words

desensitized
desert
deserted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on desert

Nglish: Translation of desert for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about desert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cotton

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All