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Definition of deserter

deserter

/dɪˈzɜːrtər/
de · sert · er
Plural:deserters
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deserter Lexical Profile

deserter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A member of the armed forces who unlawfully leaves military service without permission and with no intention of returning.

Example

"The historical archives contained numerous court-martial records detailing the apprehension of a wartime deserter."

2

A person who abandons a duty, cause, post, or relationship to which they are bound by loyalty or obligation.

Example

"When several board members resigned during the financial crisis, the remaining founders viewed each departing executive as a deserter."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for deserter

• Nearby Words

desert tortoise
desert willow
deserted
deserter
desertion
desertlike
deserve

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French 'déserteur', from Late Latin 'desertor' ('one who forsakes'), derived from the Latin verb 'deserere' ('to abandon or sever ties with').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deserter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deserter
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