defected

[dih-fek-tid] / dɪˈfɛk tɪd /

VERB

break from belief, faith

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon abscond depart desert pull out quit reject renounce revolt withdraw

STRONG

apostatize forsake go lapse leave rat rebel renege schism spurn tergiversate turn

WEAK

back out break faith change sides fall away from go back on go over go over the fence run out sell out take a walk tergiverse turn coat walk out on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow approve come continue persevere remain stay support

WEAK

come in join

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was in 1990, while touring Europe with his hero Gillespie, that Sandoval finally defected from Cuba with his wife and son — and found the refuge he’d been seeking in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Graham Simpson, who defected from the Scottish Conservatives to Reform UK, backed his party leader, saying he had not seen the joke, adding: "I don't want to see it."

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Their families at home would have suffered had they defected to the West.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The Christian-majority force consisted of defected Lebanese army officers and soldiers, as well as recruits from the area, and was loyal to Israel.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

My mother embraced Edward after he defected from Dauntless.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth