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
Off-ramps are few here, with an Iranian regime so set on defiance.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Workers at the Hennepin County facility say ICE officers have restrained patients in defiance of hospital rules and stayed at their sides for days.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
In metro Phoenix, people are speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions — in anger, in defiance, in frustration and fear.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has a history of defiance toward law enforcement, particularly when Republicans are at the helm.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Workers at the Hennepin County facility say ICE officers have restrained patients in defiance of hospital rules and stayed at their sides for days.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
In metro Phoenix, people are speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions — in anger, in defiance, in frustration and fear.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has a history of defiance toward law enforcement, particularly when Republicans are at the helm.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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Cho's team has demanded the death sentence for Yoon by viewing his martial law imposition as a rebellion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Gettysburg campaign was, in other words, a strategic offensive meant to advance the overall goals of the rebellion if not win the conflict altogether.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In contrast, results for robotaxis were mixed, with slightly more support (37%) expressed overall than opposition (35%), while a large group (28%) described themselves as ‘undecided’.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The proposal is already facing stiff opposition from business groups.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sabrina Carpenter’s song about guys being goofy and Bad Bunny’s single about wishing to be more present in fleeting moments might’ve been more pertinent to a rough last year animated by masculine aggression.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Traoré did flip the tone with his aggression, slicing to the rim for two straight baskets, but Denver’s shooting kept piling up.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
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The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And Republicans believe that some of the demands from Democrats go too far, signaling early resistance to a ban on the face masks agents wear to shield their identity.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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Ruth Terry Walden teaches literature at Westhill High School, a public school in Stamford, and focuses her courses on themes of protest, resistance, and direct action.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And the first half was a virtuoso blend of aggressiveness and controlling tempo from Payton, as Nix had a couple of deep shots to Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but also controlled the game with his legs.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
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The 2026 version of the San Diego Mojo is built on a blend of toughness and aggressiveness that shines through with a relentless defense that extends rallies and attempts to frustrate the offense on the other side of the net.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
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This transit stokes your sense of independence and even rebelliousness, inspiring you to strike out against convention and innovate more than ever.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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They were joined by other celebrities wearing the pins to voice their objections to ICE, including Justin Bieber, Samara Joy, Kehlani, Lachi, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Teddy Swims also wore the pins.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
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The deadline to file a claim is March 21, while the deadline to file an objection to the settlement is March 27.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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