Defectors refer to people who have abandoned one group or country and joined the other. People who defect do so for various reasons, such as political, ideological, or personal gain. Some synonyms for defectors include turncoats, traitors, renegades, apostates, and deserters. Turncoats are those who change allegiances for perceived personal benefits. Traitors are people who betray a group they once swore to support. Renegades are individuals who abandon their principles or beliefs to support a contrasting view. Apostates are people who abandon one belief system for another. Finally, deserters are people who abandon their military service without permission. These synonyms all refer to individuals who have changed sides or abandoned their previous affiliations.