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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
The candidate, wearing Nikes and a suit but no tie — not too buttoned up — struck a defiant tone.
—
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Wearing sunglasses inside the Allegheny County Courthouse, 45-year-old Jeremy Brokaw was defiant after his littering fines were reduced from nearly $50,000 to $1,500.
—Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Despite the controversy, MacCormack doubled down on his remarks Wednesday and remained defiant against the criticism by leaders, saying that the Republican Party needs more young, outspoken, hard-charging conservatives like him.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
The visual subtext is also defiant and uncompromising – notice the two stars on the throne and the AFCON trophy being protected by the Teranga Lions?
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Wearing sunglasses inside the Allegheny County Courthouse, 45-year-old Jeremy Brokaw was defiant after his littering fines were reduced from nearly $50,000 to $1,500.
—Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Despite the controversy, MacCormack doubled down on his remarks Wednesday and remained defiant against the criticism by leaders, saying that the Republican Party needs more young, outspoken, hard-charging conservatives like him.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
The visual subtext is also defiant and uncompromising – notice the two stars on the throne and the AFCON trophy being protected by the Teranga Lions?
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Others like Asleep at the Wheel founder Ray Benson highlighted Malo’s rebellious side, sharing a hazy memory of a joint shared in a Grammy Awards bathroom.—
Chris Parton,
Rolling Stone,
6 Dec. 2025
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Pulley credits that campaign with helping change the image of motorcycles from rebellious to something more acceptable to the mainstream and boosting Honda’s sales position dramatically.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In a sport long defined by its rigidity and rigorous training, Liu, 20, is a rebel and role model for simply loving to skate.—
Alice Park,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Griffin The misunderstood, motorcycle-riding rebel boyfriend.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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But La Roja could not find a way past Vozinha and a stubborn defense that had an answer to everything Spain’s superstars threw at them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
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Meanwhile, Hanks invests the vulnerable but stubborn Woody with a delectable senior resilience.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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