as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
Raised in Eastern Nigeria and now based in West Yorkshire, England, the artist calls herself an Igbo/Yorkshire warrior—a title that speaks to her dual heritage and the proud, defiant clarity of her work.
—
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 May 2025
Combs, however, has remained defiant, denying all wrongdoing.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 2 May 2025
Waltz was also defiant for weeks before news of his departure.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 2 May 2025
But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 May 2025
Combs, however, has remained defiant, denying all wrongdoing.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 2 May 2025
Waltz was also defiant for weeks before news of his departure.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 2 May 2025
But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Still, Adams failed to outright ask the most important questions: Were Canadians ever willing to join the rebellious Thirteen Colonies?—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
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Libra: Marge Simpson from The Simpsons Only a Libra mother could calmly and miraculously put up with the shenanigans that her three rebellious children cause.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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President Trump met with former rebel leader turned new president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2025
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Incidents of violence by rebel groups fell from 1,936 in 2010 to 374 in 2024, according to data from the home ministry.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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