deserter

/dɪˈzɜːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈzɜːrtər/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈzər-tər/ (ame, mw)

deserter — noun

  • desertersingular
  • desertersplural

1. a soldier, sailor, or other member of an armed force who runs away from their un

1.名詞C1
釋義

a soldier, sailor, or other member of an armed force who runs away from their unit and refuses to return, even though they are still legally required to serve.

例句

Takeshi was branded a deserter after he failed to return to his army base from leave.

passive: be branded a deserter

Two deserters from the navy were caught hiding in a fishing village near the southern coast.

deserter from + [armed force]

同義詞
  • absconder

    formal; emphasizes secret departure to avoid duty or arrest

  • runaway

    broader and softer; can apply to children, slaves, or animals, not only soldiers

  • defector

    leaves and joins the opposing side, especially for political reasons; deserter merely flees

反義詞
  • loyalist

    someone who stays and continues to support the cause or leader

文法句型

a deserter from [armed group]

用法筆記

Subject is typically a member of a regular armed force (army, navy, air force) or a conscripted militia. Distinguish from 'defector', who switches sides for political reasons rather than simply abandoning duty.

常見錯誤

❌He quit his office job and became a deserter.
✅He quit his office job.
💡'deserter' applies only to someone leaving an armed force or sworn duty, not ordinary employment.
❌The deserter changed sides to join the rebels.
✅The defector changed sides to join the rebels.
💡switching allegiance for political or ideological reasons is 'defector'; a deserter just runs away.