desertion

noun

de·​ser·​tion di-ˈzər-shən 

1

: an act of deserting

especially : the abandonment without consent or legal justification of a person, post, or relationship and the associated duties and obligations

sued for divorce on grounds of desertion

2

: a state of being deserted or forsaken

Synonyms

• abandonment
• dereliction
• forsaking

Examples of desertion in a Sentence

the soldiers were imprisoned for desertion of their posts

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other side of the screen, Ukrainians die, lose territory, see apartment blocks reduced to rubble, consider desertion, and watch the backbone of their western support dissolve. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025

During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, desertions and courts-martial were rare, even after years of stalemate. —Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025

The Ukrainian military is also struggling with desertions and low morale, and due to the government’s reluctance to draft young people into combat roles, the average age of its troops is around 40. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

In November 2024, Shamika Mitchell, 38, was convicted of unlawful desertion of a child and aggravated child abuse, according to the State’s Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit. —Kc Baker, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dēsertiōn-, dēsertiō, from dēserere "to part company with, abandon, leave uninhabited, leave in the lurch" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desert entry 3

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for desertion

• assertion
• cistercian
• coercion
• exertion
• insertion
• mercian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Legal Definition

desertion

noun

de·​ser·​tion

: the forsaking of a person, post, or relationship: as

a

: permanent withdrawal from living with one's spouse without the spouse's consent and without cause or justification

Note: Desertion is a ground for divorce in many states.

b

: intentional permanent termination of custody over one's child

also : abandonment

c

: abandonment of military duty without leave and without the intent to return