defection

American  

[dih-fek-shuhn] / dɪˈfɛk ʃən /

noun

1. desertion from allegiance, loyalty, duty, or the like; apostasy.

   His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable.

   Antonyms:

   loyalty

2. failure; lack; loss.

   He was overcome by a sudden defection of courage.

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defection British  

/ dɪˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of defecting

2. abandonment of duty, allegiance, principles, etc; backsliding

3. another word for defect defect

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Other Word Forms

• nondefection noun
• redefection noun

Etymology

Origin of defection

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

Example Sentences

In a letter obtained by BBC, Badenoch insisted the defections were "a minor setback, not a defining moment" for her party, and called for unity.

From BBC

But any defection brings with it deep questions about whether that person can be trusted.

From BBC

Speaking at a press conference unveiling Jenrick as a new Reform MP on Thursday, Farage said he would continue accepting defections until the local and national elections on 7 May.

From BBC

But, in short, defections and how they appear are a nice problem for a party to have – and far better than the alternative.

From BBC

Jenrick's allies argue his defection was the biggest moment of his career, and he feels "liberated" to have got it out the way.

From BBC

Related Words

• desertion
• divorce
• failure
• rejection
• revolt
• withdrawal