deserts

[/ˈdɛzərts/ (noun), /dɪˈzɜːrts/ (verb)]

noun/verb

desertos (noun); abandona/deserta (verb)

1. Large arid regions with little rainfall and sparse vegetation

The Sahara and Kalahari are vast deserts in Africa.

O Saara e o Kalahari são vastos desertos na África.

2. To abandon or leave someone/something without help or support

He deserts his family in their time of need.

Ele abandona sua família em seu momento de necessidade.

3. What someone deserves or merits (often used in phrase 'get one's just deserts')

The criminal finally got their just deserts.

O criminoso finalmente recebeu o que merecia.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

desertos

Standard term for arid regions

Brazil

abandona

Standard verb form meaning 'to desert/abandon'

Portugal

desertos

Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese

Portugal

deserta

Verb form, slightly more formal

get one's just deserts - receive what one deserves

desert one in the lurch - abandon someone in a difficult situation

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