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

Macklemore's defiant remarks drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users applauding his outspoken activism while others questioned his motives and accused him of being out of touch. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Israeli and American leaders have been sharpening their threats before elections in both countries, while Iranian leaders have remained defiant. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

There was a defiant mood in the crowd, with a handful of protesters targeting the police with lasers. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Angry and defiant, McQueen became a full throttle juvenile delinquent, and his mother sent him to the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 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