defection
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.
Origin of defection
1Opposites for defection
Other words from defection
- non·de·fec·tion, noun
- re·de·fec·tion, noun
Words Nearby defection
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use defection in a sentence
The defections underscore the urgency of Republicans’ efforts to stem their demographic decline.
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 PostHis 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 PostWinning 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 | FiveThirtyEightOver 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.
At the time of his defection, he felt a strong need to get out of Cuba, and accomplished just that.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTA 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTFaithless little Judy had shown her defection from Aunty Rosa already.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingCotgrave gives us: 'Faillance, f. a defection, failing, decaying.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems | Geoffrey ChaucerSince Jonathan Maxfield's defection, he might be considered the leading member of the Methodist congregation.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor TrollopeThe Kinghampstead division remained for some time insensitive to my defection.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George WellsThe 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
/ (dɪˈfɛkʃən) /
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
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