defected

[dih-fek-tid] / dɪˈfɛk tɪd /

VERB

break from belief, faith

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon abscond depart desert pull out quit reject renounce revolt withdraw

STRONG

apostatize forsake go lapse leave rat rebel renege schism spurn tergiversate turn

WEAK

back out break faith change sides fall away from go back on go over go over the fence run out sell out take a walk tergiverse turn coat walk out on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow approve come continue persevere remain stay support

WEAK

come in join

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.

See Examples For:

defected

As Russian forces advanced elsewhere, Stupnikov’s actions helped hold them back near Vuhledar until he defected to Ukraine in July 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

These reporters joined a Reform councillor, Alan Feeney, in Solihull, in the West Midlands, where he was campaigning to retain his seat on the council, having defected from the Conservative Party in 2025.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Several lawmakers from across the political spectrum have defected to the Liberals in the past year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Montgomerie defected from the Tories 18 months ago but was suspended from Reform UK last month after he criticised senior figures.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Philby had not yet been revealed as a Soviet spy, but two of his colleagues, Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess, had just defected to the Soviet Union.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

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