defected

[dih-fek-tid]

adjective

1. having deserted a country, cause, etc., especially in order to adopt another.

   In the movie White Nights, a defected Soviet dancer is returned to his motherland when the plane he’s on is forced to land in Russia.

2. defective.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of defect.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defected¹

First recorded in 1585–95; defect + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; defect + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Kruger, who defected from the Conservatives last week, said that was not the case but told the BBC that "prioritising UK citizens" and culture was necessary.

From BBC

A Labour councillor has defected to Reform UK after expressing concerns about the party's vision.

From BBC

A lawyer and former prosecutor, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK in June, she says she entered politics to improve outcomes for the victims of crime.

From BBC

Jones was elected for the Conservatives in 2021 to serve South Wales East - she defected at the Royal Welsh Show in the summer.

From BBC

In another surprise move, he broke off from his speech to introduce Nadine Dorris, who defected to Reform on Thursday, to make a brief speech.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• abscond 
• depart 
• desert 
• pull out 
• quit 
• reject 
• renounce 
• revolt 
• withdraw