defection

[dih-fek-shuhn] / dɪˈfɛk ʃən /

NOUN

abandonment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desertion divorce failure rejection revolt withdrawal

STRONG

alienation apostasy backsliding deficiency dereliction disaffection disloyalty disownment estrangement failing faithlessness forsaking lack parting rebellion repudiation retreat separation severance tergiversation

WEAK

recreancy sundering

Antonyms

STRONG

enough faithfulness harmony loyalty plenty

WEAK

joining

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.

That’s what the defection of his largest influencers portends.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Customer defection is of increasing concern for both airline management and shareholders, according to ASCI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Whitford's defection came a day after he voted with his Reform UK colleagues to pass the party's first county council budget after it took control of the authority after May's local elections.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Their sudden defection forced the SDF to withdraw from the Arab-majority provinces of Raqa and Deir Ezzor with little to no fighting and to retreat to Kurdish areas.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

All three had written long, abject articles in the Times, analyzing the reasons for their defection and promising to make amends.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Vocabulary lists containing defection

"Coming of Age in the Dawnland," Vocabulary from the historical excerpt

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My Brother Sam is Dead

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Mockingjay

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