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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung called it synchronicity, or meaningful coincidences that defy rational explanation but feel significant.
—
Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
With the help of precision medicine and months of treatment, Hadley began defying expectations.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 13 June 2026
There are also hopper toys that defy the typical ball design in favor of whimsical animals and mythical creatures.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
With its violent and disgusting script, Se7en defied Hollywood conventions and was a perfect match for David Fincher, who was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
With the help of precision medicine and months of treatment, Hadley began defying expectations.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 13 June 2026
There are also hopper toys that defy the typical ball design in favor of whimsical animals and mythical creatures.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
With its violent and disgusting script, Se7en defied Hollywood conventions and was a perfect match for David Fincher, who was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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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
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Jakubowski faces charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor, reckless driving, interfering with an officer, improper use of maker plates, possession of drug paraphernalia, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to maintain the proper lane.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
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But for the first time in a long time, a horror movie this big is daring voters to look away.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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TikTok users daring themselves to try the spiciest or, sourest foods and broadcasting the results.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The man then came out and was aggressively confronted by the bear as well.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Sakahara later told his son he’d been beaten and kicked and only buckled after officers began to direct the threats at people around him, said Koji, who had confronted his father about his confession.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Fans were arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
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The suspects were charged with assaulting a police officer, fighting in a public place, resisting arrest, malicious damage and disorderly behavior in a police station.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Beloved actor Ron Perlman fully leans into trying to make the contestants fail this task by forcing eye contact, asking them polite questions, rebuking their bad manners in ignoring him, and even doggedly getting into their personal space.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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As Coley and Sonya begin arguing about a mutual attraction that’s become impossible to ignore, their dynamic finally grows some teeth.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Brown challenged Maye heading into Thursday’s minicamp practice, the Patriots’ final session before their six-week break until training camp, to be perfect.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
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The justices also challenged the state’s other evidence, testimony from one of Adam Montgomery’s friends.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Stellar Texas lefty Dylan Volantis Georgia takes on Texas Saturday night in a College World Series game in Omaha, with the winner advancing to face either Oklahoma or Alabama on Monday.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
13 June 2026
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Paraguay will face Turkey on June 19 in Santa Clara, California.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Bass also accused Raman of repeatedly opposing efforts to address encampments near schools and increase police staffing.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
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The amendment would tighten existing restrictions in the Southern Baptist Convention, which already has a faith statement opposing women pastors.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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