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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defied
However, Boston defied all of those expectations, finishing second in the East with a 56-26 record.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 May 2026
At 41 years old, Vonn's return to the World Cup leaderboard after years of retirement had defied her doubters and turned the world's heads.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
The Crack'd Egg was heavily embroiled in controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic as the restaurant defied health department closure orders and refused to enforce Pennsylvania's mask mandates at the time.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 4 May 2026
The documentary When Men Dance, which just held its world premiere at the Miami Film Festival, focuses on talented performers who have defied the taboo, throwing themselves body and soul into the artform.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Tatum defied the odds by returning less than 10 months later and helped the Celtics jump out to a 3-1 series lead over the seventh-seeded Sixers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Vatican prosecutors on Thursday seemingly defied an appeals court order to turn over to the defense all the evidence gathered in the Vatican’s big financial trial, setting the stage for another clash in the long-running case.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Valadao has repeatedly defied the odds by winning the Central Valley district, where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans, in six out of the past seven elections.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
For decades now, China has functioned on the premise that wealth and social stability emerge only from a market economy in which big, unseen forces—not to be questioned or defied by individuals—control everything important.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 May 2026
At 41 years old, Vonn's return to the World Cup leaderboard after years of retirement had defied her doubters and turned the world's heads.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
The Crack'd Egg was heavily embroiled in controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic as the restaurant defied health department closure orders and refused to enforce Pennsylvania's mask mandates at the time.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 4 May 2026
The documentary When Men Dance, which just held its world premiere at the Miami Film Festival, focuses on talented performers who have defied the taboo, throwing themselves body and soul into the artform.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Tatum defied the odds by returning less than 10 months later and helped the Celtics jump out to a 3-1 series lead over the seventh-seeded Sixers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Vatican prosecutors on Thursday seemingly defied an appeals court order to turn over to the defense all the evidence gathered in the Vatican’s big financial trial, setting the stage for another clash in the long-running case.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Valadao has repeatedly defied the odds by winning the Central Valley district, where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans, in six out of the past seven elections.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
For decades now, China has functioned on the premise that wealth and social stability emerge only from a market economy in which big, unseen forces—not to be questioned or defied by individuals—control everything important.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 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.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The group says Ensign misled courts, disobeyed court orders and failed to intervene when lawyers under his supervision engaged in misconduct.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But even at its most tender, Motown never dared to be as unabashedly sultry as the Ottavianos.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Fallon even dared Coughlan to ask Dave Grohl — who is serving as musical guest with his band Foo Fighters — to be her best friend.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The driver initially stopped but drove away before officers arrived, and later denied involvement when confronted by a family member who followed the vehicle.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Lehman testified at trial the couple was staying at a nearby hotel – which McIntyre paid for – when the other man confronted them.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Many Jewish people across the world are Zionists, and so there is a temptation, which needs to be resisted, to hold Jewish people across the world responsible for the misdeeds of Israel.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Trump endorsed a series of primary challengers against GOP lawmakers who resisted his efforts to redistrict Indiana ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Despite wooden signs prohibiting people reserving sun loungers with towels and then leaving them, the father-of-two said guests routinely ignored the warning.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
To some, the data centers are an inevitable part of our future and an economic opportunity that can’t be ignored as the global AI race accelerates.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
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But Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace hit three-pointers while Smart was fumbling the ball and James and Hachimura were missing shots, while an Oklahoma City 8-0 run eventually gave them another 13-point lead that was never again challenged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
No other container shipping firm has challenged the constitutionality of the FMC’s legal proceedings.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Snell made his second rehab start with Class-A Ontario on Wednesday and threw 39 pitches while retiring nine of 10 batters faced in three innings.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
-
Black voters faced challenges from poll taxes to threats.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Hell’s Kitchen resident Terrell Drummond, who opposed siting the drop-in center there, said homeless people hang around outside the place all hours of the night.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
In the runoff, however, she was defeated by Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who benefited from a broad coalition of voters opposed to her candidacy.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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