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

His choice of Miller sends an undeniable message of defiance to the incoming Democratic congressional majorities. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Both books are acts of defiance against this type of dehumanization, which makes some of the critical responses disappointing to say the least. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

This theatrical strategy mirrors the pageantry of the French Revolution, where wearing classic Greek and Roman costumes represented political expression and defiance. — Sarah Gidick, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

The outreach is serious, but Mohsen Rezaei has built a career on defiance of the United States. — David Ignatius, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 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