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

Tensions escalated when Tigray held regional elections in defiance of thata federal delay, leading to a political standoff that erupted into a civil war in November 2020. —Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 31 May 2026

The wind whips through my hair as the gleaming new fiberglass speedboat accelerates out of the calm bay and into open waters, striped in shades of turquoise, in defiance of the name. —Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026

Iran’s negotiators expressed defiance, saying there was ‘no trust in guarantees or words’ from the American side. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Declining shelter is often not an act of defiance—it is frequently tied to trauma, mental health challenges, or concerns about safety and conditions within shelters. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 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