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.

Peter Magyar defected from the prime minister’s party before going on to defeat him in a landslide.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

One North Korean, who defected while studying in Poland in 1989, put it more succinctly: “When I was in North Korea, I thought Kim Il Sung was God.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Graham Simpson, who defected from the Scottish Conservatives to Reform UK, backed his party leader, saying he had not seen the joke, adding: "I don't want to see it."

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The Christian-majority force consisted of defected Lebanese army officers and soldiers, as well as recruits from the area, and was loyal to Israel.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Later, Celia would learn with sadness that the girl had defected while on tour in Oaxaca and was playing a psychotic housewife on a popular Mexican novela.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García