defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

dē-

: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent

defiant rebels

a defiant refusal

Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.

—Christopher Ketcham

Synonyms of defiant

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn

Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue.

the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football

Recent Examples on the Web

Femi was defiant as he was interviewed in the ring following his victory. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2026

Laurie Whitwell Were South Africa unlucky after defiant defensive display? — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 28 June 2026

To a defiant Son, however, the party hasn’t even started. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 June 2026

At times, Richie can be defiant and at other times respectful, depending on the circumstances, deepening his innate affinity with the archer. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defiant

• oppositional defiant disorder

Rhymes for defiant

• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent

defiantly adverb