defected (from)

verb

past tense of defect (from)
as in deserted
to leave (a cause or party) often in order to take up another soldiers defected from the rebel army en masse as the failure of their cause became apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defected (from)
  1. deserted
  2. abandoned
  3. rejected
  4. cut off
Verb
  • Another neighbor said the apartment was deserted when police arrived.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • One season on our family farm, deer deserted a tree stand that had produced results for years.
    — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of deserted
Verb
  • There’s no need to theorize about what happened here because the obvious answer is Bret Easton Ellis signed off on the first two episodes and then abandoned the adaptation.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Back in 2014, a Ukraine defense ministry spokesperson told CNN that the Zaporizhzhia had been taken over and placed under the flag of the Russian naval fleet when its commander abandoned it.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of abandoned
Verb
  • The bill passed by the Senate, but the House of Representatives rejected the measure in February.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Forest are also still keen on Lucas Bergvall, the Swedish international, although Tottenham’s valuation of the midfielder could be a stumbling block, with the London club having already rejected one bid.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejected
Verb
  • The attorney said the agents cut off the SUV and slammed on their brakes.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Daemon and Sea Snake are back together Lord Corlys Velaryon has been held captive by Ormund, who viscously cut off his finger with his ring as proof of life.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

defected
defected (from)
defect (from)
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Cite this Entry

“Defected (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defected%20%28from%29. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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