defiance
noun
de·fi·ance
di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 
dē-
2
: disposition to resist : willingness to contend or fight
dealing with a child's defiance
see also in defiance of
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
Some have returned home in defiance of the war, while others who never previously lived there have moved to help repopulate the empty kibbutzim.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The explicit mention of the death penalty as the source of one passenger’s misery, and their need for blood money — a possibility for everyday citizens — as well as Peyman’s youthful rage against the injustices forcing him to flee, feel definitely charged with defiance, even if measured.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Maine's defiance of the order allowed for almost immediate consequences, when a trans athlete won an indoor girls' track and field state championship.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
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Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The explicit mention of the death penalty as the source of one passenger’s misery, and their need for blood money — a possibility for everyday citizens — as well as Peyman’s youthful rage against the injustices forcing him to flee, feel definitely charged with defiance, even if measured.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Maine's defiance of the order allowed for almost immediate consequences, when a trans athlete won an indoor girls' track and field state championship.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiance. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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