Synonyms for desertion

abandonment, flight, escape, departure, leaving, secession, defection, dereliction, renunciation, disavowing, disavowal, disaffection, apostasy, withdrawal, avoidance, evasion, elusion, truancy, repudiation, relinquishment, retirement, resignation, divorce, willful abandonment, abrogation, backsliding, recreancy, falling away, forsaking, decamping, running out on*, going back on*, going AWOL*; see also retreat 1.

Antonyms loyalty*, cooperation, constancy.