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
Corlys is below deck on The Queen Who Never Was, telling a defiant Alyn about Rhaenyra’s new plan for peace, when the alarms sound.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
La Roja held a staggering 74% possession and 27 shots on goal, but was repeatedly frustrated by a defiant Cape Verde defense and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant, saying his troops will remain in southern Lebanon for as long as Israel's security requires it.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 June 2026
The killing of scores of Iranian religious and military leaders leaves the survivors more firmly in power and defiant.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
La Roja held a staggering 74% possession and 27 shots on goal, but was repeatedly frustrated by a defiant Cape Verde defense and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant, saying his troops will remain in southern Lebanon for as long as Israel's security requires it.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 June 2026
The killing of scores of Iranian religious and military leaders leaves the survivors more firmly in power and defiant.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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To promote the new launch, the duo teamed up on a campaign captured on the streets of Paris by photographer Daniel Roché, with the aim of creating a series of images that reflects the fusion of youth culture and a cool, rebellious edge, Asics said.
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The last of the rebellious slaveholding states was finally under federal control.
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
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Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
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Dealing with stubborn dark spots?
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But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star fades away, a stubborn little bird named Pikkuli sets off on a winter adventure with friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light.
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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