desertion

American  

[dih-zur-shuhn] / dɪˈzɜr ʃən /

noun

1. the act of deserting or the state of being deserted.

2. Law. willful abandonment, especially of one's spouse without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.

3. an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.

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desertion British  

/ dɪˈzɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned

2. law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations

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Other Word Forms

• predesertion noun
• self-desertion noun

Etymology

Origin of desertion

1585–95; < Late Latin dēsertiōn- (stem of dēsertiō ) < Latin dēsert ( us ) ( desert ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The charges included voluntary surrender, attempting to voluntarily surrender and desertion from a military unit.

From The Wall Street Journal

After almost four years of war, many soldiers are exhausted and desertion rates are rising.

From BBC

There have been nearly 300,000 cases of desertion, or soldiers going absent without official leave, since the start of Russia's full scale invasion - and numbers have risen dramatically over the past year.

From BBC

Among the American troops, there were mutinies and desertions and soldiers simply going home when their enlistment was up.

From Los Angeles Times

Her father’s desertion dealt a crushing blow to Barbara, who adored him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• betrayal