as in abandonment
the act of abandoning
the soldiers were imprisoned for desertion of their posts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples of desertion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Progressive groups launch 'Reject AIPAC' effort as Democratic divides over Israel deepen
The way both men have responded to the conflict has led to a feeling of desertion by some members of the Jewish and Muslim communities within the district.
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Jacob Steinberg, ABC News, 25 June 2024
Unless Russian military morale truly collapses and produces mass mutinies and desertions, the Ukrainians will have to undertake the bloody work of evicting those units from their new positions.
BOMBING TO WIN?
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
With no end to the fighting in sight, and an increasingly perilous front line, Ukrainian soldiers can sometimes feel that the only choice available to them is one between death and desertion.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Many states banned it entirely, while others permitted it only under limited circumstances – typically cruelty, desertion or adultery.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desertion 
Jacob Steinberg, ABC News, 25 June 2024
Unless Russian military morale truly collapses and produces mass mutinies and desertions, the Ukrainians will have to undertake the bloody work of evicting those units from their new positions.
BOMBING TO WIN?
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
With no end to the fighting in sight, and an increasingly perilous front line, Ukrainian soldiers can sometimes feel that the only choice available to them is one between death and desertion.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Many states banned it entirely, while others permitted it only under limited circumstances – typically cruelty, desertion or adultery.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for desertion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desertion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thesaurus Entries Near desertion
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“Desertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desertion. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
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