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
At the defiant Wildean center is infamous Salome, Herod’s manipulative stepdaughter.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Senate Democrats grill a defiant Marco Rubio on Trump’s policies.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Bowser’s shifting response on immigration matters is one of a number of ways the mayor, a leading figure in the Democratic resistance during Trump’s first term, is now striking a less defiant tone.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Moxley took out Nightingale to massive heat, and Omega hit a snap-dragon suplex on a defiant Marina Shafir.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Senate Democrats grill a defiant Marco Rubio on Trump’s policies.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Bowser’s shifting response on immigration matters is one of a number of ways the mayor, a leading figure in the Democratic resistance during Trump’s first term, is now striking a less defiant tone.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Moxley took out Nightingale to massive heat, and Omega hit a snap-dragon suplex on a defiant Marina Shafir.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
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Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Then, the detainees were executed, dressed in rebel uniforms, and reported as combat kills with many buried in anonymous graves in cemeteries.—
John Otis,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Here romantic passion combines with revolution in a historical fiction sure to light up readers’ rebel hearts.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Rick McConnell said that this sounds like his mom, who is stubborn.—
Bella Waters,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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