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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of desert
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
Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Common species include the desert blonde tarantula and the Texas brown (though Texas has 14 tarantula species).
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Joseph said the attack has left entire areas deserted as residents flee into the woods or into shelter.
—Jacqueline Charles
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Noun
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
Verb
Baja California also features a mountainous desert landscape for those who lean towards hikes and other adventurous getaways.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Common species include the desert blonde tarantula and the Texas brown (though Texas has 14 tarantula species).
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Immigration agents have targeted car washes, shopping centers, swamp meets and other businesses — pushing immigrant community members underground and leaving many typically lively areas deserted.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Joseph said the attack has left entire areas deserted as residents flee into the woods or into shelter.
—Jacqueline Charles
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
More than 55 years ago, three astronauts en route to the moon had to abandon their dreams of reaching the lunar surface when their spacecraft encountered some serious trouble.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
-
Minority languages were banned in schools, tribal leaders were silenced, and communities were pressured to abandon their heritage and conform to a rigid Persian identity.—
Jila Andalib,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
The motion goes on to list what prosecutors allege were things outside her role as a judge, including interrupting an unrelated case in her courtroom and going into a fellow judge's courtroom and telling federal officers to leave the hallway in front of her court.—
John Diedrich,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
-
In 2023, lawmakers passed a set of safety requirements for districts in the wake of the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Uvalde's Robb Elementary School that left 19 students and two teachers dead.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
But over the centuries, smaller groups of elephants have ventured into and learned to survive in the more arid plains in the western Kunene region.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Unlike agave, which is cultivated and harvested in painstaking cycles, plants of the genus Dasylirion (the plant sotol is made from) grow wild in the arid regions of West Texas.—
Andy Vasoyan,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Israel has strongly rejected claims that the country is perpetuating a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
-
If any other construction would render the clause inoperative, that is an additional reason for rejecting such other construction, and for adhering to the obvious meaning.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Made from Pinot Noir grapes, very dry, elegant in both taste and presentation.—
Lana Bortolot,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Leave compartments unzipped and let the backpack air dry.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs and the global economy, Harley has withdrawn its outook for 2025 that had been provided in February.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
-
Never give into demands to withdraw money in your accounts and take cash to a local crypto ATM.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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
-
Like claws to the earth, mangrove roots arched their way into the marsh, thirsty for the nutrients St. Lucia had to offer.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
-
If all that activity gets one hungry and thirsty, there’s a restaurant and bar.—
Daniella Walsh,
Oc Register,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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