AWOL soldier
Unauthorized military absentee
A soldier who is absent without leave—missing from duty without official permission.
The term combines the military acronym AWOL with its most common subject.
An AWOL soldier faces disciplinary action upon return or capture: The AWOL soldier was picked up by MPs three states away.
The phrase sometimes appears in civilian contexts for anyone who has abandoned their post or responsibilities.
- deserterOne who abandons duty
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- on the runActively avoiding capture
- missingNot present, whereabouts unknown
- absentNot in attendance
leave of absence · runaway · defector · MIA · truant · escape · flee · wanted poster · military · army base · boot camp · barracks · court-martial · dishonor · dishonorable discharge · patrol · manhunt · military police
- fugitivesfugitive, escapee, escaped convict, runaway, prison escapee
- absenteestruant, no-show, skipper, absconder
- Desertersdefector, absconder, draft dodger
- Lost soulslost soul, lost sheep, wanderer, drifter, prodigal
AWOL, soldier, soldiers, soldiering, soldiered, soldiery, soldierlike