abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous

we feel our public representatives have deserted us

a waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand

the desert of the Sinai peninsula is a harsh place

drought and deforestation are turning fragile grasslands into desert

a flock of lapwings

a desert of lapwings rises from a ploughed field

like a desert

overgrazing has created desert conditions