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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of desert
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
Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Just last year, Junior H and Iván Cornejo carried the torch in the desert.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement The numbers are catching up to a story being told by locals and visitors for several months now, of an eerily empty Vegas Strip and deserted casino floors.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Noun
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
Verb
This region is more densely populated by Neptune-like worlds than both the desert and the savanna.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Just last year, Junior H and Iván Cornejo carried the torch in the desert.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The Elevated Velocity has modes for interior comfort and different kinds of travel, from handsfree relaxation to desert racing.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement The numbers are catching up to a story being told by locals and visitors for several months now, of an eerily empty Vegas Strip and deserted casino floors.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desert
Verb
-
The Tesla was taken to Hollywood Tow after a person reported that it had been abandoned, NBC Los Angeles previously reported.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The city finally towed the sedan after a citizen complained that the car had been abandoned for more than 72 hours.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Much of central Saskatchewan received less than half an inch of rainfall in April and May, leaving many wetlands dry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Most of the global production of castor seed is concentrated in India, where the crop thrives in semi-arid regions with minimal water, fertilizer, or pesticide inputs.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
While there is an overall drying trend, there is normal variability in arid environments.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In July 2007, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves after rejecting an eight-year, $140 million contract extension.—
Taylor Millard,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Ukrainians overwhelmingly reject ceding territory.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Soothing ingredients, including niacinamide, chlorella, calendula, aloe, and chamomile, ensure your skin isn’t stripped dry in the process.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Much of central Saskatchewan received less than half an inch of rainfall in April and May, leaving many wetlands dry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An alternative to leaving PJM entirely would be to withdraw from participating in the supply auctions to procure supplies for Maryland through bilateral contracts, possibly by teaming up with neighboring states, according to Charkoudian.—
Tyler Kendall,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
However, as part of that deal, Yellow would pay 100 percent if the company withdrew from the plans.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Sep. 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
-
The hotel, famed for its views of the sunset over Manila Bay, had been well stocked for the incoming brigade of thirsty men.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
More viscous than your average face mist, the milky formula is laced with ceramides and lipids to relieve tight, thirsty skin and refresh dull, dry-looking makeup without so much as a flush or a tingle.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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