DEFECTING (FROM) Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

defecting (from)

verb

present participle of defect (from)

as in deserting

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for defecting (from)

Verb

Over the next two decades, records are few, most of them noting criminal convictions for fighting in bars, stealing a watch, deserting a whaling ship, and beating his wife.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
But Putin was not going to launch a new war against Turkey’s rebel allies just to save a petty dictator whose own soldiers were deserting.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of deserting

Verb

There may never be a satisfactory explanation for the WNBA’s insistence on abandoning such a loyal, durable fanbase, but the fans didn’t come to Mohegan Sun Arena one last time to ask why.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Demonstrate that the innovation function can help business leaders solve immediate problems without abandoning longer-term exploration.

— Melanie Subin, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of abandoning

Verb

The former special counsel also cited former Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to go along with a plan to overturn the results of the 2020 election by rejecting the electoral votes of battleground states that Biden won.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Throughout this same time, Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse also continued to wear the Air Force 1 High sneakers while playing in the NBA — rejecting modern technology in favor for in-game footwear that was already two decades old.

— Olivia Cigliano, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

The trade system is also being fragmented by global trade dynamics like export restrictions, tariffs, sanctions cutting off certain sources, and shipping and logistics breakdowns.

— Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
If time is limited, prioritize cutting off seed heads and flower structures.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of cutting off

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defecting

defecting (from)

defection

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“Defecting (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defecting%20%28from%29. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defecting (from)

verb

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