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Defection: meaning, definitions and examples

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defection

 

[ dɪˈfɛkʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

political betrayal

Defection is the act of betraying one's country, organization, or political party. It involves switching allegiance or loyalty to another group or cause, often resulting in a loss of trust and credibility. Defection can have significant political implications, leading to power shifts, diplomatic tensions, and internal conflicts.

Synonyms

betrayal, desertion, treason, turncoat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defection

Typically used in political or organizational contexts when someone abandons their position, group, or cause, often to join an opposing one.

  • His defection to the rival political party shocked everyone.
  • The team's chances were hurt by the defection of their star player.
betrayal

Commonly used in personal, emotional contexts to describe breaking someone's trust or being disloyal.

  • Her betrayal broke his heart.
  • The spy's betrayal led to the capture of several allies.
treason

Used in legal or formal contexts when someone betrays their country, especially by attempting to overthrow the government.

  • The politician was charged with treason for leaking state secrets.
  • Acts of treason are severely punished in every country.
desertion

Often used in military contexts to describe leaving duty without permission, but can also apply to abandoning responsibilities.

  • He was court-martialed for desertion during the war.
  • Her desertion of the family left them in a difficult situation.
turncoat

Used derogatorily to describe someone who switches allegiances, usually in a political or competitive setting.

  • He was labeled a turncoat when he supported the opposing candidate.
  • The turncoat was ostracized by his former allies.

Examples of usage

  • His defection to the opposing party shocked his former colleagues.
  • The general's defection weakened the government's position in the conflict.
  • She faced accusations of defection after leaking classified information.
  • The defection of key members of the organization caused a crisis.
  • Defection is considered a serious offense in many countries.

Translations

Translations of the word "defection" in other languages:

🇵🇹 defecção

🇮🇳 दलबदल

🇩🇪 Abtrünnigkeit

🇮🇩 pembelotan

🇺🇦 дезертирство

🇵🇱 dezercja

🇯🇵 脱党

🇫🇷 défection

🇪🇸 deserción

🇹🇷 firar

🇰🇷 탈당

🇸🇦 انشقاق

🇨🇿 dezertérství

🇸🇰 dezercia

🇨🇳 叛逃

🇸🇮 dezertiranje

🇮🇸 flótti

🇰🇿 дезертирлік

🇬🇪 გადახტა

🇦🇿 firaq

🇲🇽 deserción

Etymology

The word 'defection' originated from the Latin word 'defectionem', which means a failure or desertion. It first appeared in English in the late 15th century. Throughout history, defection has been a common occurrence in politics, military, and organizations, often leading to significant consequences.

See also: defect, defecting, defective, defector, defects.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,796, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.