defiant

adjective

di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
Definition of defiantnext
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 defiant His music was defiant and bombastic, and critics and fans alike regarded him as a kind of pop messiah. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 Oil ticked higher after Iran’s president delivered a defiant speech at the UN, stirring inflation fears. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The full moon in Aries unites with defiant Uranus retrograde in Gemini, dreamy Neptune retrograde in Aries, and evocative Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026 As a result, Brown has positioned himself as someone who has stayed defiant in the face of those who would unfairly try to bring him down. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
  1. rebellious
  2. rebel
  3. stubborn
Adjective
  • The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Now, Pugh has entered the chat with the most rebellious version yet.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Quarterback Jim McMahon wore a headband and adopted a rebel stance while Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton led a powerful attack.
    — Ira Kaufman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • The recent rise in yields reflects concerns about stubborn inflation and hawkish central bank commentary, fueling expectations that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
    — Sarah Min,Davis Giangiulio,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Even so, scaling up could force Google and SpaceX to confront some stubborn physics.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stubborn

Browse Nearby Words

defiances
defiant
deficiencies
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Cite this Entry

“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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