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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defecting (from)
Verb
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National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nick Puglia accused the former governor of abandoning storm victims across multiple crises.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026 -
Hapag-Lloyd is returning to the Red Sea for the first time since abandoning the trade artery in December 2023, bringing back a service line through the Suez Canal route in conjunction with Gemini Cooperation partner Maersk.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After two votes rejecting a contract in December, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board is bringing back a controversial custodial company to restore cleaning services to Northwest schools.—
Bri Hatch,
Chalkbeat,
30 Jan. 2026
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However, a magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence last week approved charges against only three individuals, rejecting the evidence against Lemon and the others as insufficient.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, King Charles took his efforts one step further by cutting off Andrew's private security and allowance.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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Instead, prune these shrubs after the flowers have begun to fall off in late spring to avoid cutting off the buds that will be next year’s blooms.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Defecting (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defecting%20%28from%29. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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