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defiance

noun

di-ˈfī-ən(t)s How to pronounce defiance (audio)
Definition of defiancenext
1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences

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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

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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

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.
Recent Examples of defiance Scott is himself a celebrated London Hamlet, here playing a man whose Hamlet was his last act of defiance. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Even in that moment of defiance, though, he is drawn back toward his actual father. — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Since then, mayoral defiance of the legal obligations to enforce the council’s budget has left the city financially short of that modest projection. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Despite the drumbeat of warnings and sporadic enforcement, there is widespread defiance of official regulations, especially among young Iranian women. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
  1. rebellion
  2. opposition
  3. aggression
  4. willfulness
  5. resistance
  6. aggressiveness
  7. rebelliousness
  8. objection
Noun
  • It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In Fernández’s version, Antíkona’s insubordination inspires a peoples’ rebellion and brings an end to Klion’s rule due to his inability to treat citizens with common decency.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • The groundswell of opposition may still not be enough to stop the project.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Nguyen, a former executive director of a Sacramento-area nonprofit, has faced opposition solely from Singh, a retired scientist and IT specialist, in her bid for a third term in the Assembly.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of opposition
Noun
  • Pushing a pro-Russia position not only undermines sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine but also harms America’s relationships with other critical European allies, for whom Russia’s aggression is a paramount threat.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Greenland deal comes as European countries brace for possible aggression from Russia amid its war with Ukraine.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • From grandmother to grandchild, these three sets of two sisters were powerful characters possessed with passion, willfulness, bravery, and devotion to each other.
    — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of willfulness
Noun
  • While her brother is torn between his sister and power, a devastating secret will reveal that neither resistance nor sacrifice is enough to stop oblivion.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The project has faced some resistance from community groups, who have criticized the city’s investment in a stadium deal over funding other programs for residents.
    — Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of resistance
Noun
  • Stunned at first by his opponent’s aggressiveness and the onslaught of personal attacks, Ted trains himself to withstand the barrages and to respond in kind.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Whether writing five decades ago or today, the genre’s most insightful commentators have always observed how punk fuses rebelliousness with commodification, capitalism with resistance.
    — Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026
  • Marji’s rebelliousness, both admirable and terrifying for those who love her, is her salient characteristic.
    — Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Definition of rebelliousness
Noun
  • The judge sustained objections when the defense tried to get into some of the caller's specific claims.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • However, the West Berkshire Council had upheld the objections filed in February and, last month, rejected their appeal.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of objection

Phrases Containing defiance

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defer (to)
defiance
defiances
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Cite this Entry

“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defiance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defiance

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