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.

At the dinner, I tried to get a sense if there were more women like Smith—sweet, older Christian Alabamians—snapping and defecting to the left.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Jaber Rajabi, who served in the Revolutionary Guard and studied with Khamenei in a religious seminary in Qom before defecting in 2016, warned Iran’s Arab neighbors about him before his elevation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

There were rival lawsuits and public barbs, as the Tour suddenly found itself scrambling to keep its top players from defecting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The defecting lawmakers are making it heard that their decision wasn’t taken lightly.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026

He said that any defecting official betrayed both himself and his position as a leader and examplefor other Muslims.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey