1. (n.) The act of deserting or forsaking; abandonment of a service, a cause, a party, a friend, or any post of duty; the quitting of one's duties willfully and without right; esp., an absconding from military or naval service.

2. (n.) The state of being forsaken; desolation; as, the king in his desertion.

3. (n.) Abandonment by God; spiritual despondency.

AWOL French leave abandonment absence without leave absquatulation apostasy atheism backsliding betrayal bolt breakaway crossing-over decampment defection defenselessness degeneration dereliction deserter desolation disappearance disappearing act disloyalty elopement exit faithlessness fall from grace fatherlessness flight forlornness fugitation going over hasty retreat hegira helplessness homelessness impiety impiousness irreligion irreverence kithlessness lapse lapse from grace motherlessness quick exit ratting recidivation recidivism recreancy renunciation running away schism scramming secession skedaddle skedaddling treason turning traitor undutifulness walkout