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
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
From tales of defiance in the face of adversity, to stories of hope for our planet, the films that make up this year’s shortlist have the power to transport their audiences.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Our child's protest isn't a sign of disrespect or defiance.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Apr. 2025
Even though the Administration admitted to deporting Abrego Garcia by mistake, Trump is refusing to take any steps to bring him back, in open defiance of the Supreme Court and other federal court rulings.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
Barragan said he was shaped by his upbringing in the Kern County town of Delano, where his family was active in the United Farm Workers movement that staged marches, boycotts and strikes in defiance of powerful Central Valley growers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Our child's protest isn't a sign of disrespect or defiance.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Apr. 2025
Even though the Administration admitted to deporting Abrego Garcia by mistake, Trump is refusing to take any steps to bring him back, in open defiance of the Supreme Court and other federal court rulings.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
Barragan said he was shaped by his upbringing in the Kern County town of Delano, where his family was active in the United Farm Workers movement that staged marches, boycotts and strikes in defiance of powerful Central Valley growers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
-
After leading some of his fellow players in an uprising against the games, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) sees his rebellion instantly squashed.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who is waiting for the weekend to join the rebellion.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Data taken before Friday’s fixture showed that, on average, Bentancur makes 5.3 interceptions per 1,000 opposition touches, which is more than any other midfielder with a minimum of 900 minutes in the Premier League this season.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
-
Lawler and other blue-state Republicans have voiced strong opposition to the bill, with Lawler pushing to raise the cap, which the bill would increase from $10,000 to $30,000, or get rid of it, to protect constituents in high-tax states like New York.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The Russian president has unilaterally declared a three-day ceasefire over the course of the Victory Day celebrations, which will be a key propaganda event for the Kremlin in light of its aggression in Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
The early stages of the war revealed how a lack of preparedness left many nations vulnerable to aggression.—
Lt. General Leon Scott Rice,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
But the package faces mounting resistance from both ends of the Republican Party.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
20 May 2025
-
Some adaptations to infectious pathogens came at a cost, however: strengthening resistance to ancient diseases might have elevated the likelihood of immune overreaction.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
With Republicans going it alone, over the objections of Democrats in the House and Senate critical of the tax package as a giveaway to the rich that will hurt Americans who depend on federal services, leaders will need almost every Republican on board.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
It was never sold in the U.S. thanks to the unwavering objections of a resolute reviewer at the FDA named Frances Oldham Kelsey.—
David Armstrong,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, restrictions on vacant CPS property sales are part of a broader problem, and that’s education officials’ open hostility toward alternative education models.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
Then a decade of talks crashed into President Trump’s hostility toward Canada.—
Karen Weise,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Recognizing when jokes mask disrespect is not about becoming overly cautious or humorless, but about ensuring that laughter contributes to connection, rather than corrosion.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Our child's protest isn't a sign of disrespect or defiance.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In 2016, a British passenger flying Flybe—a now-defunct regional airline—from Amsterdam to Exeter was fined more than $600 for his disobedience.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
-
The one who escalated the disobedience was the company under the direct command of its largest shareholder.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share