defection
gb/dɪfˈɛkʃən/ us/dɪfˈɛkʃən/
C1
English
átállás, átpártolás, disszidálás, lemorzsolódás
NOUN
C1
1
átállás
B2
átpártolás
C1
Usage pattern:
defection from [something] to [something]
The senator's defection gave the opposition a narrow majority.
A szenátor átállása szűk többséget adott az ellenzéknek.
The party tried to prevent further defections after the unpopular vote.
A párt a népszerűtlen szavazás után megpróbálta megakadályozni a további átpártolásokat.
His defection from the ruling coalition to a rival party shocked many supporters.
Learner examples
Her defection changed the result of the vote.
Az ő átállása megváltoztatta a szavazás eredményét.
The party lost power after several defections.
A párt több átpártolás után elvesztette a hatalmát.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse defection with defect. A defect is a fault or problem; defection is the act of leaving or switching sides.
Meaning
abandoning one side for another
Collocations
political defection
|party defection
|high-profile defection
|shock defection
|mass defection
|wave of defections
|defection from the party
|defection to the opposition
|prevent defections
|trigger defections
Synonyms
desertion (often suggests abandoning a duty or group in a disloyal way)
|
switch (more informal and less strongly about loyalty or betrayal)
|
abandonment (broader; emphasizes leaving something behind rather than joining another side)
Antonyms
loyalty (continued support for a person, group, or cause)
|
allegiance (commitment to a side, leader, or group)
|
support (continued backing rather than leaving)
Themes
politics
|organizations
|conflict
|loyalty
Definition
the act of leaving one group or side and joining another, often an opposing one
The act of leaving a country, political party, organization, or cause, especially in order to join an opposing or rival side.
NOUN
C1
2
disszidálás
C1
Usage pattern:
defection from [country/government/military] to [country/place]
The athlete's defection during the overseas tournament made international news.
A sportoló disszidálása a külföldi torna alatt nemzetközi hír lett.
After his defection, the former intelligence officer requested asylum.
Disszidálása után a volt hírszerző tiszt menedékjogot kért.
The government tightened border controls following several defections by soldiers.
Learner examples
His defection was dangerous because the border was heavily guarded.
Disszidálása veszélyes volt, mert a határt szigorúan őrizték.
After her defection, she lived in another country.
Disszidálása után egy másik országban élt.
Common mistake:
Defection usually implies a change of political loyalty or protection, not ordinary emigration for work or study.
Meaning
escaping to another country
Collocations
defection to the West
|defection from North Korea
|diplomat's defection
|soldier's defection
|intelligence officer's defection
|high-profile defection
|attempted defection
|successful defection
|seek asylum after defection
|border defection
Synonyms
escape (emphasizes getting away from danger rather than changing allegiance)
|
desertion (especially used for leaving the military without permission)
|
flight (formal or news style; emphasizes sudden leaving)
Antonyms
return (going back to the country or side that was left)
|
repatriation (formal; being sent or going back to one's home country)
|
loyalty (remaining faithful to one's country, government, or service)
Themes
politics
|migration
|military
|international_relations
Definition
the act of leaving your country or government and going to another country for political protection
The act of secretly or politically leaving one's country, government, or military service to live under the protection of another country, often one seen as an enemy or rival.
NOUN
C2
BUSINESS
3
Usage pattern:
[customer/client/employee] defection; defection to [competitor/service]
The company offered discounts to reduce customer defection.
A cég kedvezményeket kínált az ügyféllemorzsolódás csökkentésére.
High prices led to a wave of defections to cheaper streaming services.
A magas árak az olcsóbb streamingszolgáltatók felé irányuló lemorzsolódási hullámhoz vezettek.
Analysts measured the defection rate after the app introduced ads.
Learner examples
The bank wants to stop customer defection.
A bank meg akarja állítani az ügyféllemorzsolódást.
Better service can reduce defection.
A jobb szolgáltatás csökkentheti a lemorzsolódást.
Common mistake:
In business, defection often means customers leaving; it does not necessarily imply political betrayal.
Meaning
customers leaving for competitors
Collocations
customer defection
|client defection
|employee defection
|member defection
|brand defection
|defection rate
|reduce defection
|prevent defection
|defection to competitors
|risk of defection
Synonyms
churn (common business term, especially for customers or subscribers)
|
attrition (formal business term for gradual loss of customers or staff)
|
loss (more general and less technical)
Antonyms
retention (keeping customers, employees, or members)
|
loyalty (customers or members continuing to choose the same company or group)
|
acquisition (gaining new customers rather than losing existing ones)
Themes
business
|marketing
|customers
|employment
Definition
the loss of customers or members when they leave and choose another company or service
In business, the loss of customers, clients, employees, or members when they leave an organization, service, or brand, often for a competitor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defection
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɛkʃən/
US/dɪfˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
de - fec - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defection
- Plural: defection, defections
Expressions
a wave of defections
1/ə wˈeɪv əv dɪfˈɛkʃənz/
fixed phrase
many defections in succession
many people leaving the same group or side around the same time
Examples
- The scandal triggered a wave of defections from the ruling party.
- A wave of defections left the company struggling to keep its top engineers.
- The coach faced a wave of defections after the team missed the playoffs.
Learner examples
- A wave of defections hurt the party.
- The club lost members in a wave of defections.
high-profile defection
1/hˈaɪ pɹˈoʊfˌaɪl dɪfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
well-known person's defection
a defection by an important or famous person that many people notice
Examples
- The minister's resignation became a high-profile defection to the opposition.
- A high-profile defection can damage a party's image before an election.
- The company suffered a high-profile defection when its chief designer joined a rival brand.
Learner examples
- The mayor's move was a high-profile defection.
- A high-profile defection can make news.
mass defection
1/mˈæs dɪfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
large group leaving together
many people leaving the same side or group at once
Examples
- The opposition celebrated a mass defection from the president's party.
- Commanders feared a mass defection of troops if supplies did not arrive.
- The union avoided mass defection by accepting some of the members' demands.
Learner examples
- The party was weakened by a mass defection.
- The army feared mass defection.