1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
Every gesture, every movement, every action, repeated for over 500 years like a ritual, carries both ancestral mystery and the defiance of what refuses to disappear.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 28 July 2025
In addition to the human and technical losses, the Israeli offensive was a humiliation for the Iranian regime, which had defined itself in large part by its dogged defiance of Israel.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
The July 21 sentence was in defiance of a last-minute request from federal prosecutors that Hankison receive only a one-day sentence.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
For many women, something as simple as buying a bikini becomes an act of defiance.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
John Hopewell, Variety, 28 July 2025
In addition to the human and technical losses, the Israeli offensive was a humiliation for the Iranian regime, which had defined itself in large part by its dogged defiance of Israel.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
The July 21 sentence was in defiance of a last-minute request from federal prosecutors that Hankison receive only a one-day sentence.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
For many women, something as simple as buying a bikini becomes an act of defiance.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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In a world that equates stress with productivity, peace becomes a form of rebellion—and power.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Call it nostalgia or a rebellion against the clean functionality of minimalism, but romantic, decorative textiles are having a moment.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Ex-The View cohost Rosie O'Donnell believes that her former talk show will be canceled amid growing political opposition.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Netanyahu confirms Israel plans to occupy Gaza Israel is expected to approve a new plan today to take over Gaza aimed at completely destroying Hamas and securing hostage releases, despite domestic and international opposition and warnings of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Putin is a war criminal, guilty of the worst aggression in Europe since World War II.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The statistics — more passes, more involvement in build-up, better aerial aggression — reinforce what the eye test shows.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Even in the face of resistance, including instances where riders received messages warning that linking their account to a third-party app could risk deactivation, Obi has continued to grow, underscoring consumer demand for rideshare transparency.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
For years, DeMarco has held fast to a salty ethos of self-reliance that includes resistance to the notion of scaling up.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At this stage, the United States has spent plenty for Ukraine’s sovereignty — often over the objections of Trump himself, but the expenditures have been made.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
-
During the bidding process, an earlier Skydance offer was revised by the parties after considerable objections were raised by Gabelli and other investors.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health.—
Jo Causon,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Time and again the president has expressed optimism after speaking with Putin about winding down the hostilities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Elizabeth’s reaction to the very public display of disrespect by her son is Emmy-worthy all on its own for Rashad.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
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While attempting to address the MTA’s anti-Israel agenda, Jewish guest speakers at board meetings faced blatant disrespect.—
Joanna Honig,
Boston Herald,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to that act of disobedience, the document is now preserved at Fort Ligonier.—
Aurora Martínez,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
-
And why is the punishment for disobedience akin to literal torture?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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