defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

dē-

: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent

defiant rebels

a defiant refusal

Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.

—Christopher Ketcham

Synonyms of defiant

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn

Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue.

the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football

Recent Examples on the Web

Waiting on a Friend, Natalie Adler Advertisement Throughout the late 1970s and early ‘80s, Manhattan’s Lower East Side was a nonstop carnival until the AIDS epidemic devastated a generation of defiant gay men and trans women. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

His decision to stand for re-election in the same seat appeared to be a defiant attempt to move past the political drama and cement his popularity. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 7 July 2026

King amongst those has been Cape Verde, with its heroic, defiant, gritty trip to the knockouts nearly paying off as the Tubarões Azuis almost produced one of the greatest upsets in sports history against defending World Cup champion Argentina. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Femi was defiant as he was interviewed in the ring following his victory. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defiant

• oppositional defiant disorder

Rhymes for defiant

• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent

defiantly adverb