1. the act of abandoning someone or something that one has a duty to support or remain with
2. the crime of leaving military service without permission and with no intention of returning
Usage: military

Examples

• The child felt hurt by his father’s desertion of the family.
• Her desertion of the project left the team scrambling to finish on time.
• The soldier was court-martialed for desertion during wartime.
• The desertion rate increased as conditions in the army worsened.
• She couldn’t forgive what she saw as his desertion when she needed him most.
• The captain was charged with desertion after abandoning his post.
• His desertion of his principles disappointed his supporters.