In America, curse desert going over land (9)

I believe the answer is:

tarnation

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'in america curse' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'desert going over land' is the wordplay.
'desert' becomes 'rat' (abandon treacherously).
'going over' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'land' becomes 'nation' (synonyms).
'rat' in reverse letter order is 'tar'.
'tar'+'nation'='TARNATION'

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I've seen this clue in The Times.

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