desertion
/dɪˈzəːʃn
/noun [mass noun]
1The action of deserting a person, cause, or organization: her guilt over her desertion of her husband...
- We confined our trapping to the late stages of incubation to minimize nest desertion due to trapping procedures.
- Often the socio-economic implications arising out of desertions by the spouse is overlooked by society.
- Paradoxically, the distrust is further fuelled by the desertion of an assistant counsel on the team last month.
Synonyms
abandonment, leaving, forsaking;
betrayal, neglect, shunning;
stranding, jilting;
relinquishment, renunciation
defection, reneging, betrayal;
renunciation, repudiation, forswearing, relinquishment, abjuration;
apostasy
absconding, running away, decamping, flight, fleeing, flying, bolting, turning tail, truancy, going absent without leave, taking French leave, departure, escape, dereliction;
defection, treason, betrayal, cowardice
informal going AWOL
1.1 Military The action of illegally leaving the armed forces: three officers were shot for desertion [count noun]: the number of desertions was rising...
- According to the CBS News programme 60 Minutes, there have been 5,500 desertions amongst US troops.
- In 1921 King George V granted him a pardon on the desertion charge.
- He just finished serving 30 days in jail for his 1965 desertion.
