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

Danes plays Aggie, who is miserable as an act of defiance. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025

And these acts of defiance were far more than symbolic. —Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

Speaking out, though, would only lead to more headlines, including claims that her defiance was rewarded with the crown. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

The ongoing defiance of women and youth has shaken the foundations of the Islamic Republic, turning them into the regime’s worst nightmare. —Narges Mohammadi, Time, 5 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for defiance

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

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