defecting

ADJECTIVE

recreant

Synonyms

STRONG

apostate base craven low skulking timid yellow yielding

WEAK

afraid arrant cowering dastardly disloyal faithless false falsehearted fearful frightened gutless hesitant mean-spirited perfidious pigeonhearted scared sneaking spiritless timorous traitorous treacherous unfaithful unmanly vile

Antonyms

STRONG

bold brave honest moral strong

WEAK

courageous loyal

NOUN

desertion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

betrayal

STRONG

abrogation apostasy avoidance backsliding departure derelict dereliction disaffection disavowal divorce elusion escape evasion falseness flight forsaking leaving perfidy rejection relinquishment renunciation repudiation resignation retirement retreat secession tergiversation treachery truancy withdrawal

WEAK

absconding castoff departing disavowing falling away going back on marooning recreancy running out on

Antonyms

STRONG

allowance approval arrival coming meeting ratification stay

WEAK

aid assistance help staying

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.

At the dinner, I tried to get a sense if there were more women like Smith—sweet, older Christian Alabamians—snapping and defecting to the left.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

The defecting lawmakers are making it heard that their decision wasn’t taken lightly.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026

Mr. Christopher is terrific as the brooding Anatoly, who after defecting sings the first-act curtain number, “Anthem,” with both plush vocalism and fiery emotion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

These two generations have been defecting from the primary market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 19, 2025

He said that any defecting official betrayed both himself and his position as a leader and examplefor other Muslims.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

defecting

Example Sentences

Related Words