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
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Recent Examples of defiant
Bruni Tedeschi captures her in that vortex — her pulmonary illness confining her to bed one minute and her artistic drives reanimating her with defiant spirit the next.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Their relationship, tentative, intimate, and defiant, lingers long after the satirical skewering of male buffoonery has faded.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
While Massie remains defiant, the episode highlights how Trump’s threats alone can destabilize even entrenched incumbents.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
Instead, the response was defiant.
—Nick Lomaglio, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Their relationship, tentative, intimate, and defiant, lingers long after the satirical skewering of male buffoonery has faded.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
While Massie remains defiant, the episode highlights how Trump’s threats alone can destabilize even entrenched incumbents.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
Instead, the response was defiant.
—Nick Lomaglio, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The rebel run is the biggest of them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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