deserternoun [ C ]
uk/dɪˈzɜː.tər/us/dɪˈzɝː.t̬ɚ/a person who leaves the armed forces without permission
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Runaways and refugees
- abscond
- boat people
- defect
- displaced person
- escapee
- escapism
- evacuee
- fugitive
- political asylum
- refugee
- refugee camp
- runaway
- transit camp
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Disloyalty, betrayal & treason
Joining or leaving the army
Examples from literature
- But though a deserter, I have not quite forgot the service in which I was enlisted.
- Deserters and ship-wrecked seamen were adopted by the tribes.
- In some manner he gathered a number of English deserters round him and took to the mountains.
- Some were deserters from the confederate army, in which they had been compelled to serve.
- The deserter has escaped.