desertion
/dɪˈzɜːʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈzɜːrʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈzər-shən/ (ame, mw)
desertion — noun
- desertionsingular
- desertionsplural
1. Leaving the army, navy, or air force without official permission and with no pla
Leaving the army, navy, or air force without official permission and with no plan to come back — a serious crime, especially during wartime.
Dmitri was charged with desertion after slipping away from the camp at night.
charged with desertion
The young private's desertion from the front line put his whole platoon at risk.
During the long winter, desertion became a serious problem for the exhausted regiment.
Kwame was sentenced to two years for desertion during a time of war.
Lieutenant Okonkwo reported three cases of desertion to the commanding officer.
- going AWOL
informal military term; usually implies the person may intend to return, unlike desertion which is permanent
- defection
leaving to join an enemy or opposing side; stronger than desertion
- enlistment
formally joining the armed forces
- loyalty
faithful service and refusal to abandon one's military duty
文法句型
desertion from [military unit]
desertion of [one's post]
用法筆記
Frequently used in legal and military contexts. The person who commits this act is called a deserter, and the related verb is 'desert' (with the stress on the second syllable).
常見錯誤
2. Walking out on a person — such as a partner, child, or elderly parent — who depe
Walking out on a person — such as a partner, child, or elderly parent — who depends on you, especially when they most need your care and support.
Farida called her husband's departure after twenty years an act of desertion.
The desertion of elderly parents by their grown children is a growing problem.
Santiago told the court that his partner's desertion left him homeless and broke.
Meera never got over her father's desertion when she was just six years old.
Old Mrs. Watanabe suffered deeply after the desertion of her only son.
- abandonment
broader term; can refer to places, objects, or projects, not only people
- neglect
failing to care for someone while still physically present; desertion means actually leaving
文法句型
desertion of [someone]
the desertion of [a spouse/child/family member]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person who had a duty of care — a parent, spouse, or guardian. Distinguish from sense 1 (military) and sense 3 (duty or organisation).
常見錯誤
3. Turning your back on a job, role, or group you were committed to, in circumstanc
Turning your back on a job, role, or group you were committed to, in circumstances where your departure is seen as a failure of loyalty or responsibility.
Esther's sudden desertion of her teaching post left the school scrambling for a replacement.
desertion of one's post
Arun was accused of desertion after quitting the project halfway through.
The party saw Thandiwe's resignation as an act of desertion, not a simple goodbye.
Jamal felt guilty about his desertion of the neighbourhood committee during the crisis.
Huiwen's colleagues called her departure a desertion of all their shared values.
- dereliction
formal; almost always paired with 'of duty' — narrower and more about neglect than physically leaving
- abdication
giving up a formal position of power, especially a throne or high office
- commitment
dedication to one's duty or responsibility
- steadfastness
remaining firm in one's duties despite difficulty or temptation to leave
文法句型
desertion of [one's duty/post/responsibilities]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of': desertion of one's post, desertion of duty, desertion of principles. Distinguish from sense 1, which is specifically military.