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.

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

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026

Mr. Pence and his board have set a target of $15 million from donors to finance the defecting analysts for three years, and as of Friday we hear they had raised more than $13 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

It’s good for firms to have a healthy fear of their users defecting somewhere else.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2025

One radio colleague branded her a traitor for defecting to television.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

He had even earned a medal, presented by Najibullah himself, before defecting once again and returning to the Mujahideen’s side.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

defecting

Example Sentences

Related Words