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de·sert2

desert2

 
 
pronunciation:
dih zuhrt
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Homophone Note
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: deserts, deserting, deserted
definition 1: to abandon and thereby be remiss in one's duties or obligations.
He deserted his three children.The sailor deserted his ship.
synonyms:
abandon, forsake
antonyms:
cleave
similar words:
disown, jilt, leave, maroon, neglect, quit, reject, repudiate, withdraw from
definition 2: to leave or fail to help in a time of need.
His humor deserted him.Everyone deserted her when she was depressed.
synonyms:
forsake
antonyms:
stick by
similar words:
abandon, betray, evade, leave, quit
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to abandon or forsake one's military post, duties, or obligations (sometimes fol. by "from").
In any war, there are always soldiers who desert.The soldiers deserted from their position amid the heavy shelling.
similar words:
abscond, bolt, decamp, defect, flee, run, withdraw
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: deserted (adj.)
Homophone Note
Are you looking for the word dessert (a sweet food)? Desert2 when used as a verb (to leave behind) and dessert sound alike but have different meanings.