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

Meanwhile, a drumbeat of defections have given the party a dose of that elusive political currency: momentum.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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