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 defections underscore the urgency of Republicans’ efforts to stem their demographic decline.

From Washington Post

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.

From Washington Post

His first wife, an Englishwoman with whom he had three children, divorced him after his defection.

From Washington Post

Winning the Senate races there would likely mean that Democrats have 53 or 54 seats overall, giving them room for defections on key votes.

From FiveThirtyEight

Over 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.

From Ozy

At the time of his defection, he felt a strong need to get out of Cuba, and accomplished just that.

From The Daily Beast

In a statement, RT said that Wahl's on-air defection was "nothing more than a self-promotional stunt."

From The Daily Beast

But Habib has yet to appear publicly, and Syrian state media denied the defection, insisting that Habib was still at home.

From The Daily Beast

A leader in the movement, Picciolini was able to frame his defection as a retirement.

From The Daily Beast

The former U.S. intelligence officers, however, said the case is already being treated as a potential defection.

From The Daily Beast

Faithless little Judy had shown her defection from Aunty Rosa already.

From Project Gutenberg

Cotgrave gives us: 'Faillance, f. a defection, failing, decaying.'

From Project Gutenberg

Since Jonathan Maxfield's defection, he might be considered the leading member of the Methodist congregation.

From Project Gutenberg

The Kinghampstead division remained for some time insensitive to my defection.

From Project Gutenberg

The line which he immediately took was still more alarming to the Administration than the act of defection.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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