as in deserters
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 defectors
Among the defectors, only two started games for the Canes in 2025.
—
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At the time, the president vowed to back primary challengers to the Republican defectors.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 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
High-profile defectors, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, are in the twilight of their careers and unlikely to return.
—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
Discharge petitions require the backing of a simple majority of House members, or 218 signatories; in addition to the Republican defectors, twelve Democrats have so far signed Fitzpatrick’s petition, and 28 have signed Gottheimer and Kiggans’.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Due to a lack of state funds, however, these have failed to materialize, forcing many seniors still able to work to join the country's informal markets, according to accounts by North Korean defectors to the South.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At the time, the president vowed to back primary challengers to the Republican defectors.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 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
High-profile defectors, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, are in the twilight of their careers and unlikely to return.
—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
Discharge petitions require the backing of a simple majority of House members, or 218 signatories; in addition to the Republican defectors, twelve Democrats have so far signed Fitzpatrick’s petition, and 28 have signed Gottheimer and Kiggans’.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Due to a lack of state funds, however, these have failed to materialize, forcing many seniors still able to work to join the country's informal markets, according to accounts by North Korean defectors to the South.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defectors
Noun
-
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
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More important, though, is the fact that the judge who posited that hordes of deserters could follow Vovchenko’s example seems to be overstepping his role.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But that does not mean that those Maryland families with pre-war Confederate roots were, or are, traitors.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2026
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Underwood not only survived several murders but takes pride in having a hand in eliminating three out of the four original traitors, including Donna Kelce, Lisa Rinna and Dillard Bassett.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aleppo had fallen to the rebels by the time Assad landed back in Damascus.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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According to a United Nations report, since seizing Rubaya, the rebels have imposed taxes on the trade and transport of coltan, generating at least $800,000 a month.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those funds often backed far-right Republican insurgents.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Amid the nods to social media and cancel culture and the shallow perils of modern celebrity, the image of Taylor-Joy’s disciplined group of insurgents, who speak in almost archaic, poetic dialogue, strikes a bracing contrast.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But in order to remain a meaningful platform for creative renegades, the festival needs to also take risks.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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But a few renegades creatively defected across the pond, looking instead at America for inspiration.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defectors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defectors. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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