Synonyms

defector

American

[dih-fek-ter] / dɪˈfɛk tər /

noun

a person who defects from a cause, country, alliance, etc.

Other Word Forms

nondefector noun
redefector noun

Etymology

Origin of defector

1655–65; < Latin dēfector renegade, rebel, equivalent to dēfec- (variant stem of dēficere to become disaffected, revolt, literally, to fail; defect ) + -tor -tor

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.

Most of the defectors cited concerns about government spending more generally as the inspiration for their vote.

From Salon

However, in a speech she branded defectors "drama queens", saying people who did not agree with the direction she was taking the party "need to get out the way".

From BBC

Unlike other defectors, he had never sued the Tour, nor had he trashed it in public.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reform will not accept any more defectors after local elections are held on 7 May, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

From BBC

Farage has said his party will not accept any more defectors after local elections are held on 7 May.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023