DEFECTING Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

defecting 1 of 2

adjective

as in apostate

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Dissimilar Words

defecting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of defect

as in emigrating

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defecting

Adjective

The president can call out the army against seceding states and their renegade congresspeople.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
As a substitute, the district had hired a renegade hippie, Bromley Stokes, who’d recently washed up in town.

— Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of renegade

Verb

That simple, honorable point about the dignity of emigrating remains painfully controversial in Dean’s home country and here.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Cost of living and taxes ranked above political climate as the primary driver—cited by 68% of those open to emigrating, compared to 54% who named politics.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026

Definition of emigrating

Adjective

That includes parents who have 9-to-5 jobs, and nontraditional schedules, to single moms and dads.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
Ferdon detailed how the crypto currency exchange became one of the biggest brands in the emerging world of nontraditional finance and banking options.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Verb

For instance, while journeying through the depths of Pisces, Luna will clash with Uranus in Gemini this afternoon, triggering a restless undercurrent that can make routines, restrictions and other people’s expectations all the more irritating.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
The 16-mile-wide (26 kilometer) giant of a comet spends its life journeying back and forth between the outer and inner solar system, where its frigid body is heated by the sun, triggering dramatic outbursts of activity.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of journeying

Verb

Now 27, the R&B and pop singer-songwriter began releasing music at 16 and tirelessly worked her way up from Chicago’s Southside to touring with SZA and Sabrina Carpenter.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
As a refined grand-touring convertible, the Amalfi Spider is sublime.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of touring

Verb

And for broadcast leaders, please keep investing in reporters and tools to serve the traveling public.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
The Toyota sideswiped another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction and lost control, striking Bowling near 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue, the Oakland police previously told PEOPLE.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of traveling

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“Defecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defecting. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of defecting

adjective

verb

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