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
There was something gorgeous in their voices, and defiant as well.
—
Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Isaac is delightful as Victor, brilliant, egotistical and with a flair for the theatrical, a defiant outsider consumed with the idea of making life from death.
—Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Isaac is delightful as Victor, brilliant, egotistical and with a flair for the theatrical, a defiant outsider consumed with the idea of making life from death.
—Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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As for the Banks sisters, Ashley (Akira Akbar) works through a rebellious phase during her freshman year as Hilary (Coco Jones) goes on a journey of self-exploration.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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To be clear, there is no sense that Rondón and Ugás are defending the old guard or suggesting that a docile, starving population pinioned under the grip of a dictatorship is big-picture preferable to a rebellious insurgency.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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An elderly man sits on the floor, dozens of bodies lying around him, before a Sudanese rebel fighter approaches and shoots him.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
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If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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