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 Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota maintained his innocence in a defiant press conference on Thursday after he was indicted on federal bribery charges. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Aegon will have none of it and begins his rousing, defiant speech. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Earlier Monday, Justin Greaves top-scored with 73 and Chase made a defiant 70 as West Indies achieved a creditable total. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 While persistently defiant in the face of US threats, Iranian officials have acknowledged mounting economic and social problems after five months of conflict. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
  1. rebellious
  2. rebel
  3. stubborn
Adjective
  • While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good ‘ol boy, the character had a wild, rebellious side in the first season of the show.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a somewhat rebellious moment, Meghan attended her first Trooping the Colour ceremony wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Access to healthcare in the region already had been challenged by years of rebel conflict in one of Congo’s most remote and vulnerable areas, near the borders of South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Houthis are one of several Iranian proxies that have threatened to widen the conflict with the rebel group striking commercial shipping and recently ramping up attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
    — Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Volatile job numbers, stubborn inflation and changes to the Fed’s communications style are all stirring up uncertainty in markets and raising the stakes for upcoming economic data releases — including this week’s inflation report.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The softening job market may complicate the calculation for the Federal Reserve, which is also battling stubborn inflation.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of defiant for Spanish Speakers

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