defection

[ dih-fek-shuhn ]

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.

defection

/ dɪˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of defecting
2. abandonment of duty, allegiance, principles, etc; backsliding
3. another word for defect defect

Other Words From

• nonde·fection noun
• rede·fection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defection¹

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

Example Sentences

The army said he had brought "a large number of his forces" with him, in what it described as the first high-profile defection to its side.

From BBC

Rebel groups have rejected a peace offer from Myanmar’s embattled junta, which is reeling from battlefield losses and defections in a civil war that has dragged on for more than three years.

From BBC

But even a handful of Democratic defections could matter.

From Los Angeles Times

He also escaped compulsory conscription, which the Myanmar army has been enforcing to make up for defections and battlefield losses.

From BBC

Those are huge defections when you realize either Ogwumike or Parker was considered their best player for each of the previous 13 years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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