defiance
noun
de·fi·ance
di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 
dē-
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
Daniel E. KubiskeExamples 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
Smoking that cigarette is his last attempt at defiance.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
But with a ceasefire in place, Hamas quickly moved to quash defiance, aiming to cement the authority denied to them in the nascent agreement.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Reading or writing poetry are not merely expressions of defiance or despair, but measures of active healing.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
But with a ceasefire in place, Hamas quickly moved to quash defiance, aiming to cement the authority denied to them in the nascent agreement.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Reading or writing poetry are not merely expressions of defiance or despair, but measures of active healing.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiance. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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