as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone as negotiations proceeded Sunday.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
But an increasingly defiant Daisy has another idea.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
While Google has struck a defiant tone, internal backlash appears to be mounting, with several employees criticizing the deal publicly.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Machine washable, stain-defiant, and made from recycled materials.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
But an increasingly defiant Daisy has another idea.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
While Google has struck a defiant tone, internal backlash appears to be mounting, with several employees criticizing the deal publicly.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Machine washable, stain-defiant, and made from recycled materials.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
-
That would be a massive threat to the hegemony established by the film, especially for people at their most curious, rebellious age.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
And what could be more rebellious than sending a roomful of serious cinephiles screaming for the exits?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Aleppo fell in late November, in part due to that tunnel operation that cut off the regime's supply lines, the rebel groups made a split-second decision to continue the offensive.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Fuel and fertilizer needed for the rice crop are just the latest necessities to become unaffordable in Rakhine state, which has been devastated by intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), one of the many rebel groups in the country.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Abby, how does one work with stubborn husbands?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Ahead, Katie Sullivan, the director of issue communications at the American Cleaning Institute, shares the best way to remove sticky, greasy residue from pot lids, at-home solutions for tackling even the most stubborn residue, and the one mistake to avoid that can make cleanup more difficult.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
