WorldAugust 8, 2026

defectors

dee-FEK-terz

Definition

People who abandon a cause, organization, or political allegiance to join an opposing side.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'defectio', meaning a desertion or revolt. It entered English in the 17th century to describe someone who abandons their duty or allegiance.

In the news

In this context, the term refers to former allies or officials who have broken away from Trump and are now taking legal or political stances against his interests. Their status as defectors complicates the legal arguments presented before the Supreme Court.

Trump’s White House ballroom foes face ‘very tough argument’ at Supreme Court, legal experts say

Read the full article ↗

Fox News

Related words

adjudicator

A person or body, such as a tribunal or judge, tasked with settling a dispute or deciding…

World

aliyah

The act of immigrating to Israel, specifically by Jewish individuals from the diaspora.

World

anticommunist

Opposed or hostile to the political and economic ideology of communism.

World

arbitrariness

The quality of being based on random choice or personal whim rather than on reason, law,…

World

chargesheet

A formal document prepared by law enforcement agencies detailing the specific accusations…

World

communism

A political and economic theory advocating for a classless society in which all property…

World

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.