as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 defiant
The remaining leaders of the Maduro regime were defiant.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.
—Leonor C. Suárez, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Maduro's allies struck a defiant tone in video messages.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 4 Jan. 2026
Trump’s remarks contrasted with the defiant tone from government officials in Venezuela Saturday morning.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.
—Leonor C. Suárez, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Maduro's allies struck a defiant tone in video messages.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 4 Jan. 2026
Trump’s remarks contrasted with the defiant tone from government officials in Venezuela Saturday morning.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
-
Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was the law in the rebellious states.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
This wretched regime is doomed to be overthrown by the risen populace and rebellious youth.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
-
He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.—
Bhumika Tharoor,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share