as in deserter
a person who abandons a cause or organization usually without right
the defector demanded political asylum in exchange for information about his nation's spying operations
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Recent Examples of defector
Among the defectors, only two started games for the Canes in 2025.
—
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Koepka, the first to work out a deal with the PGA as a reverse defector, this week is playing his first Tour event since returning, at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
At the time, the president vowed to back primary challengers to the Republican defectors.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
If Democrats oppose the floor vote, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford to lose just two Republican votes before a third GOP defector could upset passage.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
Laughter, gasps and applause are not uncommon, according to defectors and foreign visitors who have attended such events.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Rolapp’s bold approach created waves this week when the tour reinstated LIV defector Brook Koepka, a five-time major winner and worldwide star.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Generally, the defectors don’t go far.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Netanyahu’s efforts to bolster his message and lure defectors back to the pro-Israel cause extend beyond Bible study.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Koepka, the first to work out a deal with the PGA as a reverse defector, this week is playing his first Tour event since returning, at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
At the time, the president vowed to back primary challengers to the Republican defectors.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
If Democrats oppose the floor vote, Speaker Mike Johnson can afford to lose just two Republican votes before a third GOP defector could upset passage.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
Laughter, gasps and applause are not uncommon, according to defectors and foreign visitors who have attended such events.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Rolapp’s bold approach created waves this week when the tour reinstated LIV defector Brook Koepka, a five-time major winner and worldwide star.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Generally, the defectors don’t go far.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Netanyahu’s efforts to bolster his message and lure defectors back to the pro-Israel cause extend beyond Bible study.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defector
Noun
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This notably happened during the Civil War with enlistment bounties to track down deserters.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Dec. 2025
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Harry Truman granted amnesty to certain World War II deserters, while Jimmy Carter granted pardons to hundreds of thousands of individuals who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.—
Stewart Ulrich,
The Conversation,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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That argument is still used to justify the retention of statues of Confederate generals, every one of whom was a traitor, in prominent public places.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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Her decision to vote for fellow traitor Rob Rausch in the last episode came back to bite her.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But, a renegade locomotive is careening toward Los Angeles in its place.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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Holding hands, terrace kisses and renegade servants?—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Lucas’s focus on getting paid brings him in for the book’s harshest criticism; Fischer casts him as a rebel turned sellout.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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On the other hand, Bennu is the rebel — its glycine likely originated in frozen ice exposed to harsh radiation in the outer reaches of the solar system.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Progressive senators are wading into Democratic primaries across the country, at times breaking from their leaders to back more left-leaning or insurgent candidates — with the notable exception of Texas.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Those funds often backed far-right Republican insurgents.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defector. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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