Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun defection

2 senses of defection

Sense 1
desertion, abandonment, defection -- (withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility; "his abandonment of his wife and children left them penniless")
       => withdrawal -- (the act of withdrawing; "the withdrawal of French troops from Vietnam")

Sense 2
apostasy, renunciation, defection -- (the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes))
       => rejection -- (the state of being rejected)