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

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
• combatted
• 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
• bucked
• repelled
• challenged
• contradicted
• thwarted
• contested
• balked
• countered
• battled
• combatted
• baffled
• hindered
• disputed
• contended (with)
• frustrated
• combated
• 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

Carney defied them both to try. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

Contrast this with figures such as Republican Liz Cheney, who defied her party to uphold her principles. —Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025

On Saturday, a new tour at Santa Ana’s Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary will honor local women who defied the odds. —Allyson Vergara, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025

The Tony-winning actor and singer led an all-star celebration of the beloved 1972 musical, which was penned by Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz long before Elphaba defied gravity. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

America's economy has defied naysayers, but there is no guarantee that continues. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025

Since stepping up as the leader in 1991, Shawn defied a then-shrinking industry with passion and innovation, driving annual revenue from $2 million per year to a peak of $123 million. —Malana Van Tyler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

On Monday, a federal judge in Rhode Island found the White House had defied an earlier court order to unfreeze federal grant and program funds. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025

Two weeks ago, Republican leaders, who have long bristled at DeSantis’ heavy-handed approach, defied his request for a special session to address immigration. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025