1. a person who abandons their country, political party, or cause in favor of an opposing one

Examples

• The Cold War spy was a famous defector from the Soviet Union.
• Several high-ranking officials became defectors after the regime change.
• The defector provided valuable intelligence to his new country.
• She was labeled a defector when she switched political parties.
• The government offered protection to defectors from the opposing side.
• Many defectors sought asylum in neighboring countries.