What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defecting
Example
The soldier was accused of defecting to the enemy's side. [defecting: verb]
Example
The politician's defection from his party caused a stir in the media. [defection: noun]
abandoning
Example
The mother was charged with abandoning her child in the park. [abandoning: verb]
Example
The company decided to abandon its plans for expansion due to financial constraints. [abandon: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abandoning is more commonly used than defecting in everyday language. Abandoning is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while defecting is less common and often used in political or military contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defecting and abandoning?
Both defecting and abandoning can be used in formal and informal contexts, but defecting may be more formal due to its association with politics and military defections.