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.
One of his first initiatives is an audit of battlefield losses -- ranking commanders based on casualty levels, in an attempt to address high levels of desertion among rank-and-file troops and the unpopularity of mobilisation.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
"Ardern's move is likely to be seen as symbolic of this broader pattern. To some it will read as desertion," Alan Gamlen, director of the Australian National University's migration hub, told the BBC.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
The charges included voluntary surrender, attempting to voluntarily surrender and desertion from a military unit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
Her father’s desertion dealt a crushing blow to Barbara, who adored him.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025
He even had them officially listed and denounced for desertion, in case some British agent needed proof that the agent was really a former American soldier and not a spy posing as a deserter.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
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.
