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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of defied
But yesterday, the group defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his approval.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 July 2026
From businesswomen and lawyers to pilots and mothers, the Miss Subways defied the odds stacked against women of their time and hope that young women today do the same.
—
Noelle Lilley,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The Destiny’s Child member defied the usual sky-high shoe trend at award shows.
—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
In the tournament in Mexico, Israel’s all-amateur team defied expectations, losing 0-2 to Uruguay but notching draws against Sweden and Italy before being eliminated.
—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Xhaka was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season as Sunderland defied all expectations to finish seventh, three places above Chelsea.
—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
While Japan were widely expected to progress beyond the group stage, Australia have defied the odds to make it this far.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
The president has harshly criticized judges who have ruled against him, and his administration has sometimes defied their orders.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
In an absolutely unreal rally following an early deficit, Ecuador has defied the odds to beat group leader Germany here in New Jersey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 July 2026
From businesswomen and lawyers to pilots and mothers, the Miss Subways defied the odds stacked against women of their time and hope that young women today do the same.
—
Noelle Lilley,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The Destiny’s Child member defied the usual sky-high shoe trend at award shows.
—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
In the tournament in Mexico, Israel’s all-amateur team defied expectations, losing 0-2 to Uruguay but notching draws against Sweden and Italy before being eliminated.
—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Xhaka was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season as Sunderland defied all expectations to finish seventh, three places above Chelsea.
—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
While Japan were widely expected to progress beyond the group stage, Australia have defied the odds to make it this far.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
The president has harshly criticized judges who have ruled against him, and his administration has sometimes defied their orders.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
In an absolutely unreal rally following an early deficit, Ecuador has defied the odds to beat group leader Germany here in New Jersey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defied
Verb
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However, all of the city’s fire stations seemingly disobeyed the mayor by lowering their flags.
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The group says Ensign misled courts, disobeyed court orders and failed to intervene when lawyers under his supervision engaged in misconduct.
Verb
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Nobody around dared speak or shout.
-
That was the term widely used against social critics, artists, novelists—anyone in Austria who dared to be too critical of the country after the Second World War.
Verb
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Once inside, she’s confronted by Tommy (James Eddie), who stupidly grabs her to escort her out.
-
In September 2025, Kiara Jenkins was preparing to leave for a trip to Atlanta with friends when Eddie Jenkins showed up at her home dressed all in black with his hood up and confronted her about the trip, prosecutors said.
Verb
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In some parts of Mongbwalu, locals have fiercely resisted health responders too.
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However, the Fed has resisted additional rate cuts during the inflation surge this year.
Verb
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After years of exam leaks, persistently high youth unemployment, and opportunities slipping further out of reach, their simmering frustration is sparking a demand for accountability that many say can no longer be ignored.
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Several states and agencies also charge for rescues, particularly when visitors have ignored warning signs.
Verb
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Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.
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Eight groups challenged the department’s definition in court, representing nurse practitioners, therapists, speech language pathologists and more.
Verb
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The governor faced mass backlash from activists across the country for his office's statement.
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Despite the widespread support in the Assembly, the bill faced a wide array of opposition that included trade groups for large social media companies, organizations that support young people and advocates for digital privacy.
Verb
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In what is now the desert Southwest, Velarde was born among the remnants of the Spanish empire and lived under the flags of Mexico and Texas; briefly, the Confederacy, though his family opposed it; and finally, under the stars and stripes of the United States of America.
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Many residents have opposed the data centers.
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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