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
Speaking to voters over the weekend from the picturesque resort town of Ogunquit, the Washington Examiner found an air of unease among some, in one case downright hostility, and in others defiant support.
—
David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Beatty has built a political career around defiant stands.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The great-grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic struck a defiant tone in an interview with CNN on Thursday, saying Iran shouldn’t compromise on its demands to end the war.
—Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 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
See All Example Sentences for defiant
David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Beatty has built a political career around defiant stands.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The great-grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic struck a defiant tone in an interview with CNN on Thursday, saying Iran shouldn’t compromise on its demands to end the war.
—Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 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
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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As a whole, the return of the Ninja 300 feels almost rebellious in today's motorcycle market.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
-
Difficult teenage years with lots of poor decisions and rebellious behavior.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
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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De la Espriella has promised to cancel the talks and take a more confrontational approach to rebel groups that includes using airplanes to spray coca fields with herbicides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
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 20 Jun. 2026.
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