1
as in to disobey
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of
in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Dylan Faden wakes up inside the Oldest House — a paranormal, space-defying skyscraper in the center of New York that acts as the headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC).
—
George Yang, Space.com, 22 June 2026
Linwood Carlton retreated to a bedroom in the home and defied orders to surrender, the sheriff’s office said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026
Many states and local governments limited in-person worship, deeming large gatherings unsafe; Kirk began speaking to congregations that defied COVID regulations.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Many progressive priests and community members reject these exclusionary rules and quietly defy them.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
George Yang, Space.com, 22 June 2026
Linwood Carlton retreated to a bedroom in the home and defied orders to surrender, the sheriff’s office said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026
Many states and local governments limited in-person worship, deeming large gatherings unsafe; Kirk began speaking to congregations that defied COVID regulations.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Many progressive priests and community members reject these exclusionary rules and quietly defy them.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Santana-Mateo was booked on charges of breach of peace, engaging police in a pursuit, disobeying the direction of officer, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, failure to obey a traffic control signal and driving the wrong way on a one way.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
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In 2024, the agency claimed that X security staff sometimes had to pointedly disobey Musk in order to remain in compliance.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Verb
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An Arizona startup, Katalyst Space Technologies, is undertaking a daring mission to save NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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After that, Cyrus settled into a rocker chic aesthetic and has continued wearing daring looks over the years.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Firefighters confront a stubborn blaze inside a 500,000-square-foot frozen-food warehouse built like a giant cooler, with burning foam insulation, solar panels and ammonia lines complicating the multi-day battle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Jessie, confronting her abandonment trauma, blames technology after being separated with Bullseye, but ultimately helps a tech toy, Smarty Pants, to connect Bonnie with a new friend.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Knicks owner Jim Dolan took center stage and couldn't resist taking a shot at the mayor during the team's most joyous moment.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
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Some of Díaz-Canel’s statements were remarkable simply for confirming that Cuban leaders knew their economic policies did not work and yet had resisted reforms.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
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By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Wigan, United Kingdom — Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership after resoundingly winning a special election in Makerfield, northwest England, and securing his return to parliament.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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Each delivers thoughtful insights and actionable ideas that challenge your perspective and inspire new ways of thinking.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Negotiators face a 60-day deadline to reach a final deal.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Earlier Thursday, Vice President JD Vance slammed critics in Israel after a report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Israeli officials strongly oppose the agreement.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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Business executives have already poured millions of dollars into groups that oppose the billionaire tax or are promoting alternative solutions to wealth inequality.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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