defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s How to pronounce defiance (audio)
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
Phrases
in defiance of
: contrary to : despite
seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics
He returned to the pulpit May 22 in defiance of an order by church leaders banning him from television preaching for one year.Daniel E. Kubiske

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flattering, placating, and kowtowing only seem to spark escalating demands while defiance risks retaliation. Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025 Saturday’s look aligned her with a brand known for its romantic defiance. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2025 No doubt drawing optimism from having weathered severe crises before, the Cuban government seems committed to a state of defiance. Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 Where George Michael once sang of devotion, Swift sings of defiance. Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defiance

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of defiance was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiance. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

defiance

noun
de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s How to pronounce defiance (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of defying : challenge
2
: a tendency to resist : contempt of opposition

More from Merriam-Webster on defiance

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