defiantly

adverb

de·​fi·​ant·​ly di-ˈfī-ənt-lē How to pronounce defiantly (audio)
dē-
: in a defiant manner : in a way that is full of or shows a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight
She spoke out defiantly against the proposed law.
As his empire crumbled amid the … scandal, he defiantly refused a graceful exit.Jonathan Alter
Though restrained, the women do not lack independence, and they wag their tongues as defiantly as ever.Jason Farago

Examples of defiantly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Operation #ClearTheShelves Fawn Weaver responded on social media defiantly and confidently. Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Air Canada management had asked for the arbitration order, while the union defiantly opposed it. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025 Not all SuperAgers prioritize their health — on the contrary, some defiantly savor their vices — and many have lived difficult lives, Gefen said. Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2025 At a time when deep state cuts have slashed arts funding, horror movies have proven to be a frighteningly resilient business in South Florida — and the proof is in Popcorn Frights, a defiantly indie horror bash that has inexplicably become Broward County’s biggest film festival. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defiantly

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defiantly was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Defiantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiantly. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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