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

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

An artist who wrote more than 20 books and co-founded feminist institutions with Steinem and Jane Fonda, Morgan defied labels in love and politics. — Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

With its slapstick mayhem and goofball charm, the film's oddball recruits defied the odds to become a smash at the box office. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026