defector

Definitions

A person who abandons their country or cause in favor of an opposing one.

Someone who leaves a political party, organization, or group to join another.

Examples

The high-ranking defector provided the intelligence agency with classified documents about the regime.

After years of living under a dictatorship, the defector finally found safety in a democratic country.

The government treated the defector with suspicion, fearing he might be a double agent.

Synonyms

deserter turncoat renegade traitor apostate runaway fugitive

Antonyms

loyalist patriot adherent follower supporter devotee stalwart