desert 1 of 4

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)

desert

3 of 4

verb

desert

4 of 4

adjective

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

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
Herrera pulled the Suburban to a stop west of the Santa Teresa port of entry, in a stretch of desert far from the urban footprint of Sunland Park. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 26 May 2025 The couple began staying at a dispersed campsite outside Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, but LeFleur decided to move their camp to a more remote area of the desert, according to prosecutors. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 26 May 2025
Verb
Banking deserts across the US Banking deserts are hardly unique to North Carolina. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025 Once the town’s finest destination for pilgrims and tourists, it was destroyed during the war and is now deserted. Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 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
  • How private resorts are changing travel Final boarding call for free bags at Southwest as airline abandons a cherished perk Travel Troubeshooter: Denied boarding on my flight home.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • Elder Scrolls Online, like any other MMO, is the type of game many players spend hundreds of even thousands of hours playing over the course of several years, so asking them to abandon an account with that type of legacy just to play with someone on another platform is a very big ask.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The only two albums left in her catalog yet to be released as a re-recording are Reputation and her debut album.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • Place the basil leaves (and optional lemon zest) into a clean glass jar.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plants that grow in forested areas can impart the spirit with fresh notes of herbs or pine, while sotol made from plants residing in more arid regions can accrue mineral, earthy undertones with hints of smoke and spice.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
  • In hot and arid locales, an evaporative cooler can lower the air temperature while increasing humidity.
    Khanh T.L. Tran, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • In December, the state Legislature initially rejected the plan because of funding ambiguities.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • The jury rejected the BBC's defense that its journalism was fair, responsible and in the public interest.
    Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • In the Colorado River Basin, April and May were very dry.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Macron made the remarks as the U.S. is considering withdrawing troops from Europe to shift them to the Indo-Pacific.
    DAVID RISING, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
  • Acknowledging those headwinds, Mulgrew has since withdrawn the UFT’s support for the the plan, which would have provided the city with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 May 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 all-stock deal represents a staggering sum, particularly at a time when venture firms have been thirsty for exits due to a yearslong dearth of IPOs and big acquisitions.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 22 May 2025
  • With two percent salicylic acid, the formula has niacinamide and glycerin to quench thirsty skin.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 17 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desert. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on 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!