Desert vs. Lonely — What's the Difference?

A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to the processes of denudation.

Sad because one has no friends or company

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

(of a place) unfrequented and remote

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

Dejected by the awareness of being alone.

A flock of lapwings

Producing such dejection

Like a desert

Without others of a similar kind; lone; solitary

A dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.

Unfrequented by people; desolate

A region of permanent cold that is largely or entirely devoid of life.

Unhappy because of feeling isolated from contact with other people.

An apparently lifeless area of water.

Unfrequented by people; desolate.

An empty or forsaken place; a wasteland

Without companions; solitary.

(Archaic) A wild and uninhabited region.

Sequestered from company or neighbors; solitary; retired; as, a lonely situation; a lonely cell.

Often deserts Something that is deserved or merited, especially a punishment

Alone, or in want of company; forsaken.

The state or fact of deserving reward or punishment.

Not frequented by human beings; as, a lonely wood.

Of, relating to, characteristic of, or inhabiting a desert

Having a feeling of depression or sadness resulting from the consciousness of being alone; lonesome.

Wild and uninhabited

Lacking companions or companionship;

To leave empty or alone; abandon.

Marked by dejection from being alone;

To withdraw from, especially in spite of a responsibility or duty; forsake

Separated from or unfrequented by others; remote or secluded;

To abandon (a military post, for example) in violation of orders or an oath.

Enjoyed or performed alone;

To forsake one's duty or post, especially to be absent without leave from the armed forces with no intention of returning.

That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.

A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.

(figuratively) Any barren place or situation.

Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.

To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.

To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.

That which is deserved; the reward or the punishment justly due; claim to recompense, usually in a good sense; right to reward; merit.

A deserted or forsaken region; a barren tract incapable of supporting population, as the vast sand plains of Asia and Africa which are destitute of moisture and vegetation.

A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place.

Of or pertaining to a desert; forsaken; without life or cultivation; unproductive; waste; barren; wild; desolate; solitary; as, they landed on a desert island.

To leave (especially something which one should stay by and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to forsake; - implying blame, except sometimes when used of localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country.

To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, to desert the army; to desert one's colors.

To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service without permission, before the expiration of one's term; to abscond.

An arid region with little or no vegetation

Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch;

Desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army;

Located in a dismal or remote area; desolate;