defected
Abandoned one's country
Defected is the past tense of defect, meaning to abandon one's country, cause, or allegiance for an opposing one.
The word carries Cold War associations—Soviet ballet dancers defecting to the West, spies defecting with state secrets: He defected to the enemy during the war.
Unlike simply leaving, defecting implies betrayal of a prior loyalty.
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- exileBanishment from homeland
- asylumShelter from persecution
emigrate · flee · refugee · sanctuary · border · crossing · clandestine · exfiltrate
Betraying one's nation
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- spyCovert information gatherer
collusion · sedition · renegade · sellout · quisling · perfidy · rat · deserter
Unlawful abandonment of duty
- AWOLAbsent without permission
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
court-martial · regiment · platoon · enlistment · surrender · enemy · frontline · discharge
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- exileBanishment from homeland
asylum · emigrate · flee · refugee · sanctuary · border · crossing · clandestine · exfiltrate · expatriate
treason
Betraying one's nation
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- informantOne who provides intelligence
spy · collusion · sedition · renegade · sellout · quisling · perfidy · rat · deserter · allegiance
desertion
Unlawful abandonment of duty
- AWOLAbsent without permission
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
rebellion · court-martial · regiment · platoon · enlistment · surrender · enemy · frontline · discharge · fugitive
- disappearedvanished, disappeared, gone, vanish, faded
defectedremained
Stayed in place
kept faith · persevered · adhered · stood fast · committed
- birth defectsAbnormalities present from delivery
- hidden defectsFaults not immediately visible
- heart defectAbnormality in blood-pumping organ
- congenital defectAbnormality present at birth
- factory defect
- defective productsItems with manufacturing flaws