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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
Protesters took to the streets again in the capital Tuesday in defiance of a curfew imposed on the city center, and after the government lifted the social media ban.
—
Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
But anger against the government showed no signs of abating, as protesters gathered in front of parliament and other places in the capital Kathmandu, in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed by authorities.
—Gopal Sharma, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The collection combines the ornate designs and intricate patterns of the Art Nouveau era with the edge and overt defiance of punk culture.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Mulcahy and Chao had cited Fernandes Anderson’s media interviews, her defiance of calls from the mayor and five councilors to resign for months after her arrest, and the latest use of her public platform to endorse a City Council candidate seeking her former seat.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
But anger against the government showed no signs of abating, as protesters gathered in front of parliament and other places in the capital Kathmandu, in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed by authorities.
—Gopal Sharma, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The collection combines the ornate designs and intricate patterns of the Art Nouveau era with the edge and overt defiance of punk culture.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Mulcahy and Chao had cited Fernandes Anderson’s media interviews, her defiance of calls from the mayor and five councilors to resign for months after her arrest, and the latest use of her public platform to endorse a City Council candidate seeking her former seat.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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Kirk's assassination is the most high-profile example yet of what extremism researchers at the NCRI see as an increasingly dangerous normalization of political violence—often masked as satire, rebellion, or dark humor online.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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One accommodation, the Rebel Suite, takes its design cues from the sea rebellions of Islay, full of nautical references, striking patterns, and bold green and blue hues.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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Modern conservatism developed its own history and internal logic, emerging not merely in opposition but alongside liberalism as a powerful response to the social and economic upheavals of the early 20th century.—
Allan J. Lichtman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In terms of behavioral issues, aggression, social conflict, and soiling were the most common.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Rutte and Grynkewich described NATO’s eastern flank as the front line of defense, but dismissed arguments that the whole alliance wasn’t at risk of Russian aggression.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 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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Both offenses are moving with little resistance thus far.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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This high-tech top is made from a fabric blend that combines the odor-resistance and quick-drying properties of merino wool with the wrinkle-resistant and thermoregulation properties of lyocell.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Increase his aggressiveness at the point of attack.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
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The forward is known for his physicality and aggressiveness on the ice.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This element of female rebelliousness is very important to me.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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Participants met with the Hawks’ sales leadership for two hours every Friday, with lessons covering scheduling appointments, working through objections, and using and developing sales scripts.—
Ryan Stowers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Nearly every question and observation drew objections from prosecutors.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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