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

Hathaway, along with other pregnant stars like Cardi B, Rihanna, Ciara and Vanessa Kirby, have defied gravity with towering heels while attending events and working during their pregnancies. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Valadao has repeatedly defied the odds by winning the Central Valley swing district, where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans, in six out of the last seven elections. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

For a Black kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago, that journey defied the odds associated with where my pin dropped. — Matt Brewer, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

What to read next A photon from the biggest cosmic explosion since the Big Bang appears to have defied Einstein. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

While Mahomes defied expectations and returned to participate in training camp in July and then started both regular-season games this month, Seguin is not committed to playing in the Star’s season opener next month. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Stocks have defied gravity, despite headwinds such as the Iran war. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

The Fed’s decision, which defied the president’s wishes for lower interest rates, could be followed by additional increases. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026

Rising from an impoverished background to become a celebrated stage star in Romania, the actress and directing debutante has defied all odds to reach the starry heights of the Lido. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026