desertion
Americannoun
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the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned
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law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of desertion
1585–95; < Late Latin dēsertiōn- (stem of dēsertiō ) < Latin dēsert ( us ) ( see desert 1) + -iōn- -ion
Vocabulary lists containing desertion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The charges included voluntary surrender, attempting to voluntarily surrender and desertion from a military unit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025
After almost four years of war, many soldiers are exhausted and desertion rates are rising.
From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2025
Her father’s desertion dealt a crushing blow to Barbara, who adored him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025
It was a turning point in a youth-led uprising that started on September 25: Rajoelina fled the country that weekend, impeached days later for desertion of duty.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2025
He knew his desertion would be salt in the still-raw wound of his son's disgrace.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
