desertionnoun
uk/dɪˈzɜː.ʃən/us/dɪˈzɝː.ʃən/[ C or U ] the act of leaving the armed forces without permission:
During the war, desertion was punishable by death.
There were thousands of desertions in the last weeks of the war.
figurative There have been mass desertions from (= a lot of people have left) the party in recent months.
[ C or U ] the act of leaving someone behind in a difficult situation:
Roger got his divorce on the grounds of desertion (= because his wife had left him).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Disloyalty, betrayal & treason
- adultery
- backstabber
- betray
- betrayal
- break ranks idiom
- collaborate
- deserter
- double-cross
- faithless
- false
- fifth column
- high treason
- sell sb down the river idiom
- sellout
- stab
- stab sb in the back idiom
- traitor
- treacherous
- treachery
- treasonable
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Joining or leaving the army
Departing
Relationships: ending & divorce