C1nounformalconflict
US/dɪˈzɜːr.ʃən/
UK/dɪˈzɜː.ʃən/
the act of leaving the army without permission, or leaving a person or place you should stay with
In context
In wartime, desertion from the army was punished very severely.
Low pay and poor food led to mass desertion from the army.
The party suffered a wave of desertions after the scandal.
Words that go with desertion
adjective + noun
- mass desertionThe general feared mass desertion if the troops were not paid.
verb + preposition
- charged with desertionTwo soldiers were charged with desertion after leaving their base.
- accused of desertionHe was accused of desertion but later cleared by a military court.
noun + preposition
- desertion fromDesertion from the navy rose sharply that winter.
- wave of desertionsThe coalition collapsed after a wave of desertions.