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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 This, itself, is the ultimate act of defiance in the face of America’s neverending frontier. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • To pair the piece with Celine’s more tailored pieces like the trousers and blouse added a tonal contrast that still executed on its luxury aesthetic, though with a touch of rebellion.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • These layered styles exuded rebellion and were made famous around the globe by figures like Joan Jett.
    — María Diez, Glamour, 26 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
  • Large sections of chairs in the hall were empty as delegations filed out in protest of Iranian aggression.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 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
  • Douglas Stewart Carter, 71, was let out on bail late Monday over objections from the victim's family.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Martinez-Olguin found no reason to reject the settlement based on their objections.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defiance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defiance

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