defect
noun
a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in a machine.
have defected
-
present perfectof defect.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
In the past year, at least three soldiers have defected across the DMZ, which is around 2 miles wide and 150 miles long.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
Senior Conservatives including sitting MPs Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and Danny Kruger, as well as former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, have defected to Reform in recent months.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
So far no senior government or military figures have defected or spoken out against leadership, even as the crackdown on demonstrators has intensified.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
Zahawi joins a growing list of senior Conservatives who have defected to Reform.
From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026
Among zoomers, young men are now more religious than young women—and women have defected from the Christian faith in larger numbers than young men.
From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2024
