Word Study
defection
OXFORD DICTIONARY
defection, n.
1 the abandonment of one's country or cause.
2 ceasing in allegiance to a leader, party, religion, or duty.
1 the abandonment of one's country or cause.
2 ceasing in allegiance to a leader, party, religion, or duty.
Etymology
L defectio (as DEFECT)
THESAURUS
defection
abandonment, about-face, accommodation, adaptation, adjustment, alienation, alteration, amelioration, apostasy, backsliding, bad debt, betrayal, betterment, blemish, bolt, break, breakaway, bug, catch, change, change of heart, changeableness, constructive change, continuity, conversion, crack, crossing-over, default, defect, deficiency, degeneration, degenerative change, delinquence, delinquency, dereliction, deserter, desertion, deterioration, deviation, difference, disaffection, discontinuity, dishonor, dishonoring, disloyalty, disownment, divergence, diversification, diversion, diversity, divorce, drawback, estrangement, failing, failure, faithlessness, falseness, fault, faute, fitting, flaw, flip-flop, foible, forsaking, frailty, going over, gradual change, hole, imperfection, improvement, inadequacy, infirmity, kink, little problem, melioration, mitigation, modification, modulation, nondischarge of debts, nonpayment, nonremittal, overthrow, parting, problem, protest, protested bill, qualification, radical change, ratting, re-creation, realignment, recidivation, recidivism, recreancy, redesign, reform, reformation, rejection, remaking, renewal, renunciation, repudiation, reshaping, restructuring, reversal, revival, revivification, revolution, rift, runout, schism, secession, separation, shift, shortcoming, snag, something missing, sudden change, switch, taint, tergiversation, total change, transition, treason, turn, turnabout, turning traitor, uncollectible, upheaval, variation, variety, violent change, vulnerable place, walkout, weak link, weak point, weakness, worseningROGET THESAURUS
defection
Tergiversation
N tergiversation, change of mind, change of intention, change of purpose, afterthought, tergiversation, recantation, palinode, palinody, renunciation, abjuration, abjurement, defection, going over, apostasy, retraction, retractation, withdrawal, disavowal, revocation, revokement, reversal, repentance, redintegratio amoris, coquetry, vacillation, backsliding, volte-face, turn coat, turn tippet, rat, apostate, renegade, convert, pervert, proselyte, deserter, backslider, blackleg, crawfish, scab, mugwump, recidivist, time server, time pleaser, timist, Vicar of Bray, trimmer, ambidexter, weathercock, Janus, changeful, irresolute, ductile, slippery as an eel, trimming, ambidextrous, timeserving, coquetting, revocatory, reactionary, a change came o'er the spirit of my dream.Relinquishment
N relinquishment, abandonment, desertion, defection, secession, withdrawal, cave of Adullam, nolle prosequi, discontinuance, renunciation, abrogation, resignation, desuetude, cession, unpursued, relinquished, relinquishing, Int, avast!, aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben, entbehre gern was du nicht hast, relinquishment, abandonment, renunciation, expropriation, dereliction, cession, surrender, dispensation, quitclaim deed, resignation, riddance, derelict, foundling, jetsam, waif, discards, culls, rejects, garbage, refuse, rubbish, relinquished, cast off, derelict, unowned, unappropriated, unculled, left, Int, away with!.Disobedience
N disobedience, insubordination, contumacy, infraction, infringement, violation, noncompliance, nonobservance, revolt, rebellion, mutiny, outbreak, rising, uprising, insurrection, emeute, riot, tumult, strike, barring out, defiance, mutinousness, mutineering, sedition, treason, high treason, petty treason, misprision of treason, premunire, lese majeste, violation of law, defection, secession, insurgent, mutineer, rebel, revolter, revolutionary, rioter, traitor, quisling, carbonaro, sansculottes, red republican, bonnet rouge, communist, Fenian, frondeur, seceder, secessionist, runagate, renegade, brawler, anarchist, demagogue, Spartacus, Masaniello, Wat Tyler, Jack Cade, ringleader, disobedient, uncomplying, uncompliant, unsubmissive, unruly, ungovernable, breachy, insubordinate, impatient of control, incorrigible, restiff, restive, refractory, contumacious, recusant, recalcitrant, resisting, lawless, mutinous, seditions, insurgent, riotous, unobeyed, unbidden, seditiosissimus quisque ignavus, unthread the rude eye of rebellion.For further exploring for "defection" in Webster Dictionary Online