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

The 9th Circuit joined the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th Circuits in rejecting the administration’s policy, countering the 5th and 8th Circuits, which have said the policy is lawful.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later came out with statements rejecting FIFA’s proposal, but stopping short of a boycott.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

One couple has racked up millions of views for their trailblazing short cut into the Costco parking lot, bypassing the entrance and four-wheeling over the curb and sidewalk, sometimes cutting off drivers about to pull into the vacant spot.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Republicans argued before the vote that cutting off the administration's ability to wage war now would tie their hands.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 July 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 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of defecting (from)

verb

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