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Glite Dictionary
defection

defection

28 7.9
Leaving a country, group, or cause to join an opposing one
  • noun
  • /dɪˈfɛkʃən/
translation icon : deserción
  • There's been a rash of defections to the west, scientists, artists, key citizens.
  • mutual defection
  • mass defection
  • number of defections

And on top of this, Chang still suffers from spying, insubordination and defection from his generals.

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Examples

  • No defection will be tolerated.

    The Handmaid's Tale (1990)

  • We haven't had a defection in six months.

    Boris and Natasha (1992)

  • Made the British believe his defection was real.

    The Living Daylights (1987)

  • Why in the world should we accept this defection from the Peloponnesian League?

  • Hasn't been a single defection from our side.

    National Champions (2021)

  • Moscow has kept my defection secret from everyone but a few members of the presidium.

    From Russia with Love (1963)

  • At the beginning of July 2012, Manaf announced his defection from the ranks of the regime.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Octavian agreed, and now with the defection of the legions and the capture of so many of his ships, Anthony's position was not so secure.

  • Obama's high approval ratings among Democrats clearly helped to minimize Democratic defections in 2012.

    Academic text (2013)

  • In 2015, a high-ranking military officer's defection shocked the government and boosted the morale of the opposition.

Synonyms

desertion
vsdefection
20 6.2

Leaving someone, a place, or a duty when you should stay to help

typically involves leaving to join an opposing group or cause
bolt
vsdefection
  • Literature
14 7.8

A sudden leaving of a group, often by an important member

is more about deliberate leaving to join rivals rather than sudden exit
renunciation
vsdefection
  • Formal
2 8.9

An official act of rejecting a belief, faith, or way of life

is about leaving a country or group to join the opposition
disaffiliation
vsdefection
  • Formal
1 8.0

Ending membership or connection with a group

usually implies switching to an opponent rather than mere membership ending
tergiversation
vsdefection
  • Formal
9.9

Abandoning a group or cause for personal gain

focuses on leaving to join opposing causes rather than self interest

Antonyms

loyalty
503 1.3

Strong and lasting support for a person, group, or idea

How Serious

betrayal
197 3.9
defection
28 7.9
abandonment
26 3.6
leaving
4 1.0

Surface Forms

defection singular
defections plural

Morphology

defection = defect (transparent) = defect + ion

Standard nominalization of the verb 'defect' with '-ion'; the meaning 'the act of leaving' is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Defection comes from the Latin word defectio, from the verb deficere, which meant 'to leave' or 'to fail'. So a defection is when someone leaves their country, group, or party and often joins the other side.