Synonyms of desert

desert 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈde-zərt 

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

• barren
• wasteland
• wilderness
• desolation
• heath
• bush
• waste
• no-man's-land
• wild
• badland
• brush
• outdoors
• dust bowl
• open
• out-of-doors
• open air
• nature

desert

2 of 4

noun (2)

di-ˈzərt 

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

• discipline
• correction
• assessment
• punishment
• penalty
• sentence
• fine
• wrath
• criticism
• chastisement
• charge
• nemesis
• revenge
• comeuppance
• retaliation
• castigation
• vengeance
• retribution
• example
• confinement
• reprisal
• incarceration
• imprisonment
• condemnation
• damnation
• rebuke
• reproof
• censure
• reprimand
• mulct
• denouncement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parole
• indemnity
• pardon
• amnesty
• exemption
• immunity
• acquittal
• vindication
• impunity
• exoneration
• release
• exculpation
• forgiveness
• reprieve
• disregard
• commutation
• remission
• absolution
• overlooking
• condonation
• remitment

desert

3 of 4

verb

di-ˈzərt 

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

• abandon
• reject
• leave
• withdraw
• defect (from)
• jump ship
• forsake
• cut off
• run out on
• walk out on
• rat (on)
• go back on
• renounce
• go
• spurn
• quit
• disown
• abjure
• abdicate
• repudiate
• depart
• renege
• apostatize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adhere (to)
• stick (to or with)
• foster
• cling (to)
• cultivate
• cherish

2

as in to leave

to cause to remain behind

deserted the kids at the food court for some independent shopping

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leave
• abandon
• forsake
• strand
• dump
• ditch
• escape
• maroon
• walk out on
• walk away from
• quit
• fling
• shed
• throw away
• cut off
• sacrifice
• scrap
• discard
• withdraw (from)
• throw out
• separate (from)
• relinquish
• retreat (from)
• junk
• vacate
• hand over
• forget
• ignore
• surrender
• give up
• renounce
• distance
• take off (from)
• reject
• yield
• neglect
• shuck (off)
• jettison
• disregard
• deliver
• repudiate
• disown
• abjure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• have
• own
• keep
• possess
• reserve
• hold
• retain
• reclaim
• withhold
• save
• harbor
• redeem
• rescue

desert

4 of 4

adjective

as in arid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arid
• dry
• waterless
• thirsty
• rainless
• droughty
• sere
• consumed
• sunbaked
• parched
• depleted
• sear
• dehydrated
• spent
• diminished
• exhausted
• drained
• debilitated
• baked
• reduced
• enfeebled
• dried-up
• expended
• inhospitable
• uncultivable
• lessened
• lifeless
• used up
• desolate
• barren
• bankrupted
• bleak
• untillable
• impoverished
• unfertile
• hardscrabble
• infertile
• waste
• bony
• unproductive
• poor
• stark
• dead
• boney

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fertile
• rich
• productive
• fruitful
• lush
• luxuriant
• green
• arable
• tillable
• verdant
• sylvan

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

Examples of desert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This may necessitate constructing facilities in locations with ample space and opportunities for renewable energy, such as deserts. —Yusuf Sar, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

The cat in the video is fascinating not only because of its rarity but also because it was seen in desert scrub and at a lower elevation than ocelots are usually spotted, per the statement. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2024

The hotel also offers Sossusvlei desert experiences for an additional cost. —Mazuba Kapambwe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2024

While visiting Yosemite Valley can feel like Disneyland, Big Bend felt like a serene desert refuge—which can actually be quite colorful and filled with animals: Big Bend Is a Haven for Backcountry Campers Want to hike in and pitch your tent at a dispersed site in the Chisos Mountains? —Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 15 Aug. 2024