defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

dē-

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

jailed for defiance of a court order

2

: disposition to resist : willingness to contend or fight

dealing with a child's defiance

see also:

in defiance of

Synonyms of defiance

• rebellion
• willfulness
• rebelliousness
• disrespect
• contrariness
• disobedience

Examples of defiance in a Sentence

any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences

the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort

Recent Examples on the Web

But in Depression-era Mississippi, even the smallest act of defiance can have dangerous consequences for a woman. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

In claiming the nomination Tuesday evening, Platner struck a tone of defiance about his skeptics. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 June 2026

For this poet, the first place of childhood and language is his village in the South, a place that has continued to exist in defiance of some of the most brutal forces of occupation, aggression, and now unabashed annihilation. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

In a 230-191 vote, the House approved the bill in defiance of House GOP leadership. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffiaunce, defyaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French defiance, difiaunce, from defier, desfier "to renounce, challenge, defy entry 1" + -ance, -aunce -ance

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing defiance

• in defiance of

Rhymes for defiance

• science
• appliance
• compliance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Kids Definition

defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

2

: a tendency to resist : contempt of opposition