As verbs the difference between deserted and absent
is that
deserted is past tense of desert while
absent is keep away; stay away; go away.
As adjectives the difference between deserted and absent
is that
deserted is abandoned while
absent is being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present; missing.
As a noun absent is
absentee; a person who is away on occasion.
As a preposition absent is
in the absence of; without.