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Showing results for defecting. Search instead for gefechtstags.

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

Suddenly, Golding had to do more than scramble to hire new staff, keep recruits from defecting, and convince players not to transfer to other schools.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

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

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

Internal strife in Parthia had its leaders distracted and its allies defecting.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby