Synonyms of defied

defied

verb

past tense of defy

1

as in disobeyed

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of

in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disobeyed
• ignored
• violated
• mocked
• resisted
• dismissed
• opposed
• rejected
• rebelled (against)
• disregarded
• fought
• flouted
• breached
• withstood
• overlooked
• transgressed
• bucked
• scorned
• passed over
• revolted (against)
• disputed
• broke
• contested
• mutinied (against)
• combated
• scoffed (at)
• pooh-poohed
• disobliged
• infringed
• shrugged off
• winked (at)
• overpassed
• brushed (off)
• tuned out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• obeyed
• served
• complied (with)
• submitted (to)
• minded
• conformed (to)
• observed
• kept
• yielded (to)
• surrendered (to)
• deferred (to)
• conceded (to)
• stooped (to)
• capitulated (to)
• obliged
• cooperated (with)
• heard
• agreed (to)
• noted
• regarded
• marked
• attended
• noticed
• watched
• heeded
• goose-stepped (to)
• assented (to)
• acquiesced (to)
• acceded (to)
• listened (to)

2

as in dared

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dared
• challenged
• confronted
• stumped
• braved
• faced
• bearded
• brazened
• breasted
• outbraved
• outfaced

3

as in confronted

to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage

a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confronted
• faced
• braved
• dared
• withstood
• resisted
• encountered
• bearded
• stood up to
• brazened
• met
• breasted
• challenged
• fought
• outbraved
• approached
• outfaced
• fronted
• stood
• affronted
• opposed
• battled
• accosted
• faced up (to)
• cornered
• repelled
• combated
• contended (with)
• squared (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sidestepped
• avoided
• dodged
• ducked
• shirked
• eschewed
• shunned
• shook
• escaped
• evaded
• eluded
• funked

4

as in resisted

to refuse to give in to

a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resisted
• opposed
• withstood
• fought
• repelled
• bucked
• challenged
• contradicted
• thwarted
• contested
• countered
• disputed
• hindered
• baffled
• contended (with)
• frustrated
• balked
• combated
• battled
• stemmed
• obstructed
• checked
• foiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submitted (to)
• succumbed (to)
• yielded (to)
• surrendered (to)
• bowed (to)
• stooped (to)
• gave in (to)
• capitulated (to)
• knuckled under (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defied

Ozon is the next economic pressure point Russia’s economy has defied the skeptics. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs. — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The results of Niccol’s sustained investments and commitment to his employees have been nothing short of astonishing, bearing out in financial results which have defied Wall Street consensus by miles. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

For Mara Isaacs, the show’s creative producer, the outsized box office returns are just the latest milestone for a production that has defied the odds at every point. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

The display defied restrictions preventing Israeli participants from competing under their national flag. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Throughout his illustrious career, 71-year-old filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa has defied being bound and chained to any specific genre. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Post Opinions writers share which appointees have defied expectations. — Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026

While on the surface, that’s a startling drop for a nameplate that has long defied the normal premium sports car depreciation curve. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026