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
While that's a steep legislative hill, a sizeable group of Republican senators has openly complained about the fund, leaving open the possibility that Democrats could lure across the aisle an embarrassing number of GOP defectors.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The officials said Russia’s security services are now more brazen in their choice of targets, going after Russian activists and foreign supporters of Ukraine, in addition to the usual suspects like military defectors.
—Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The film explores the iconic partnership between Fonteyn, a 42-year-old prima ballerina and Britain’s most famous dancer, and Rudolf Nureyev, the 23-year-old rebellious Soviet defector who became her partner on stage (and, it was rumored, off it as well).
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Nureyev is 23, a rebellious Soviet defector — magnetic, explosive, unstoppable.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
South Korean officials confirmed details of Kim’s defection, and his descriptions of hardships faced by North Koreans mirror numerous accounts defectors shared with CNN.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Evangelicals have mostly stuck by Trump, even with prominent defectors such as Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore and New York Times columnist David French railing against widespread Christian support for the president, given his personal life and tendency to make incendiary statements.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
One of those defectors referenced Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as helping in his decision.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Bailey stars as Anna, a Manhattanite culinary school defector.
—Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The officials said Russia’s security services are now more brazen in their choice of targets, going after Russian activists and foreign supporters of Ukraine, in addition to the usual suspects like military defectors.
—Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The film explores the iconic partnership between Fonteyn, a 42-year-old prima ballerina and Britain’s most famous dancer, and Rudolf Nureyev, the 23-year-old rebellious Soviet defector who became her partner on stage (and, it was rumored, off it as well).
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Nureyev is 23, a rebellious Soviet defector — magnetic, explosive, unstoppable.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
South Korean officials confirmed details of Kim’s defection, and his descriptions of hardships faced by North Koreans mirror numerous accounts defectors shared with CNN.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Evangelicals have mostly stuck by Trump, even with prominent defectors such as Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore and New York Times columnist David French railing against widespread Christian support for the president, given his personal life and tendency to make incendiary statements.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
One of those defectors referenced Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as helping in his decision.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Bailey stars as Anna, a Manhattanite culinary school defector.
—Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defector
Noun
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And within his own country’s history, particularly, Dhont discovered the fates that met would-be deserters who were caught — brutal sentences often leading to death.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
The love story of a Confederate deserter (Jude Law) journeying back to his North Carolina home and his love (Nicole Kidman) drives the Civil War drama.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Queen Seymour is on the run as a traitor, having literally sunk one palace, while Queen Howard practices spycraft right under her husband’s nose.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Lack of support compounded 'traitor' narrative, Greene says Greene was one of the president's earliest and loudest supporters during his first term, and worked relentlessly on his reelection campaign in 2024, appearing with the president at multiple events.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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People didn’t come to the series with a working knowledge of the State Department, ready to see what the renegades were like.—
Debora Cahn,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Young Julian might also be surprised by how your Corpus crew, which started kind of like a renegade group of friends, now has real community impact.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Accompanying the violence, both the Naxals and the security forces – including local militia raised to combat the rebels – have been accused of horrific human rights abuses, including abductions, torture and rape.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The rebels have reported two cases.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In recent weeks, the race for Los Angeles mayor has been dominated by reality star Spencer Pratt, who, following an expectation-exceeding debate performance, has risen in the polls with an insurgent campaign specializing in producing or promoting brash and direct online videos.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi think the incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and insurgent former reality TV star Spencer Pratt are most likely to advance to the second round.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defector. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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