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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Recent Examples of defiant
That defiant tone could carry significant risk as the case moves forward, legal experts told Fox News Digital.
—
Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
But Dear Nashville succeeds because Monroe’s songs are rueful rather than bitter, determined and occasionally defiant but never defeated.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
Marsha was defiant and seemed to have an answer for everything.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
As Israelis prepared to mark Passover Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week delivered a defiant wartime address replete with biblical references of ancient Jewish triumphs over their enemies.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
But Dear Nashville succeeds because Monroe’s songs are rueful rather than bitter, determined and occasionally defiant but never defeated.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
Marsha was defiant and seemed to have an answer for everything.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
As Israelis prepared to mark Passover Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week delivered a defiant wartime address replete with biblical references of ancient Jewish triumphs over their enemies.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
-
On June 15, 1215, rebellious nobles compelled King John of England to sign the Magna Carta.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In a message Monday on X, Sánchez said that so far there were no signs indicating that the plane was attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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Petro, a leftist who was a member of a rebel group in his youth, has attempted to stage peace talks with Colombia’s remaining rebel groups under a strategy known as total peace.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Data readiness, security, integrations, workflow redesign, and building human skills remain stubborn bottlenecks for true AI implementation.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Michigan made only two three-pointers all night but still muscled its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn Connecticut.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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