defection

[ dih-fek-shuhn ]

/ dɪˈfɛk ʃən /

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See synonyms for defection on Thesaurus.com

noun

desertion from allegiance, loyalty, duty, or the like; apostasy: His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable.

failure; lack; loss: He was overcome by a sudden defection of courage.

OPPOSITES FOR defection

1 loyalty.

See antonyms for defection on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of defection

1535–45; <Latin dēfectiōn- (stem of dēfectiō), equivalent to dēfect(us) (see defect) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM defection

non·de·fec·tion, nounre·de·fec·tion, noun

Words nearby defection

defeature, defecate, defecation, defect, defectible, defection, defective, defector, defederalize, defence, defence in depth

How to use defection in a sentence

The defections underscore the urgency of Republicans’ efforts to stem their demographic decline.
Shrinking the GOP, one state at a time|Jennifer Rubin|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Offseason defections hit the program hard after it reeled off 17 consecutive wins and was a legit national championship contender before the pandemic ended last season early.
Dynamic sophomores Ashley Owusu and Diamond Miller are powering an explosive Maryland offense|Kareem Copeland|January 13, 2021|Washington Post
His first wife, an Englishwoman with whom he had three children, divorced him after his defection.
George Blake, notorious Cold War double agent who helped Soviets, dies at 98|Taylor Shapiro|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
Winning the Senate races there would likely mean that Democrats have 53 or 54 seats overall, giving them room for defections on key votes.
Democrats Don’t Need To Win Georgia, Iowa, Ohio Or Texas — But They Could|Perry Bacon Jr. (perry.bacon@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Over the past 20 years, most defections have involved North Koreans fleeing south — an estimated 33,600 have done so, though about 900 are unaccounted for.
The North Koreans Who Escape Back Home|Fiona Zublin|October 14, 2020|Ozy
At the time of his defection, he felt a strong need to get out of Cuba, and accomplished just that.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a statement, RT said that Wahl's on-air defection was "nothing more than a self-promotional stunt."
Exclusive: RT Anchor Liz Wahl Explains Why She Quit|James Kirchick|March 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Habib has yet to appear publicly, and Syrian state media denied the defection, insisting that Habib was still at home.
Fearful of a U.S. Strike, Defectors Flee the Syrian Army|Mike Giglio|September 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A leader in the movement, Picciolini was able to frame his defection as a retirement.
Derek Black, the Reluctant Racist, and His Exit From White Nationalism|Caitlin Dickson|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The former U.S. intelligence officers, however, said the case is already being treated as a potential defection.
Inside the ‘Q Group,’ the Directorate Hunting Down Edward Snowden|Eli Lake|June 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Faithless little Judy had shown her defection from Aunty Rosa already.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Cotgrave gives us: 'Faillance, f. a defection, failing, decaying.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Since Jonathan Maxfield's defection, he might be considered the leading member of the Methodist congregation.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3)|Frances Eleanor Trollope
The Kinghampstead division remained for some time insensitive to my defection.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
The line which he immediately took was still more alarming to the Administration than the act of defection.
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson

British Dictionary definitions for defection

defection

/ (dɪˈfɛkʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of defecting

abandonment of duty, allegiance, principles, etc; backsliding

another word for defect (def. 1), defect (def. 2)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

defection

OPPOSITES FOR defection

Origin of defection

OTHER WORDS FROM defection

Words nearby defection

Words related to defection

How to use defection in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for defection