1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
Viewers in Kyiv had a choice of two venues, Zhovten and Kino 42, in which to see the film, thus demonstrating that the Chaplinesque spirit of defiance is alive and kicking.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Shared defiance of Moscow thus spurred the two leaders into a rapprochement at a moment when Russian capacity in the Caucasus is checked by the war in Ukraine.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
In Asia, the flag gained popularity as a tool of political expression and defiance during protests in Indonesia, the Philippines and Nepal, and has also popped up on the streets of Paris.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
The defiance heightened tensions in the Civil Rights Movement.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Shared defiance of Moscow thus spurred the two leaders into a rapprochement at a moment when Russian capacity in the Caucasus is checked by the war in Ukraine.
—Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
In Asia, the flag gained popularity as a tool of political expression and defiance during protests in Indonesia, the Philippines and Nepal, and has also popped up on the streets of Paris.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
The defiance heightened tensions in the Civil Rights Movement.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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The state argued incidents that arose from the ICE facility protests in recent months have been handled by local law enforcement and have not been severe enough to be considered a riot or rebellion.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In July, after FilmLA’s contract was renewed for five more years despite opposition from some local public advocates, a host of measures aimed at streamlining and eradicating bureaucratic hurdles in the film permitting process was approved.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
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Involvement in these crypto ventures has led to accusations of corruption, conflicts of interest and self-dealing from opposition lawmakers, as well as calls for ethics investigations.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Wall Street holds near record highs in a government-data blackout , with enough rotational energy toward left-behind groups, refreshed confidence in the AI spending frenzy, certainty of a Fed rate cut this month and speculative aggression in lower-quality longshots to keep the indexes aloft.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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The President's aggression is forcing every school district, city, and the state to do more to protect our rights and our students.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One more vote is needed to force a House vote over the resistance of Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Part of the town’s magic is in its remoteness and resistance to commercialization.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dedich has started the last three games for the Rams and has shown his aggressiveness in the running game but allowed eight pressures in three weeks.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
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This can lead to rapid mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions, aggressiveness, and outbursts.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The rebelliousness can be witnessed in everything from its ’70s-in-California style to the very naming conventions Mother chooses for its viral products — adored by A-listers like Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Millie Bobby Brown, and more.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Democrats countered that the GOP proposal actually is partisan, since Republicans are seeking to extend funding following the passage of a controversial spending bill that narrowly passed in July over the objections of all congressional Democrats.—
Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Burr’s take on the event comes as some comedians such as Shane Gillis, Marc Maron and David Cross have voiced objections to the festival, with Cross blasting comics — including citing Burr — who participated.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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