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
The staff member defied management and reported the incidents to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, according to the lawsuit.
—
Lina Ruiz
may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Valadao has repeatedly defied the odds by winning the left-leaning swing district six out of the past seven elections.
—Mathew Miranda
may 13, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
At every turn, Porter defied the expectations of his doctors and therapists.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 11 May 2026
The climbers defied safety restrictions to attempt the 4,445-foot ascent; 17 were evacuated, some with minor burns.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Like the Indiana Republicans who lost their primaries this week, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson defied his party leaders on redistricting and drew the most competitive challenger of his career.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
Proctor, who the State Police fired in early 2025, largely due to misconduct while investigating the Karen Read-John O’Keefe case, defied a subpoena to testify in a King murder case hearing last summer.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 9 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 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
Lina Ruiz
may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Valadao has repeatedly defied the odds by winning the left-leaning swing district six out of the past seven elections.
—Mathew Miranda
may 13, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
At every turn, Porter defied the expectations of his doctors and therapists.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 11 May 2026
The climbers defied safety restrictions to attempt the 4,445-foot ascent; 17 were evacuated, some with minor burns.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Like the Indiana Republicans who lost their primaries this week, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson defied his party leaders on redistricting and drew the most competitive challenger of his career.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
Proctor, who the State Police fired in early 2025, largely due to misconduct while investigating the Karen Read-John O’Keefe case, defied a subpoena to testify in a King murder case hearing last summer.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 9 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defied
Verb
-
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
-
If one dared to purchase such disposable fare, there was no way to consume the offensive food with dignity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
In a world of singular cinnamon rolls, this cluster of mini cinnamon rolls dared to be different.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
His defense lawyers told the court that Fleming immediately confessed when confronted by authorities and turned over incriminating text messages from his cellphone that later led to Sangha’s arrest.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
-
Members of the Basij paramilitary force had pushed Biglari and a handful of others into their base and confronted them there, the family member said.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
While Senate passage of the ROAD to Housing Act is a positive development, time and time again, the forces that support NIMBYism have resisted the carrot approach.—
Michael Schill,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Workers resisted him with false reports of incompetence, machine sabotage, and especially social pressure—something that worked on new recruits but not on Taylor himself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The state dashboard and local improvement plans Brown touted are singled out for criticism in the report, essentially validating concerns that reformers had voiced but were ignored.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
In an April statement, the union said the company ignored its March 18 letter and several requests by phone, asking to lift the lockout and allow members to return to work while negotiations continue.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Creeden’s attorney, Andino Reynal, challenged Stapp’s testimony that the union’s constitution requires expenses to be approved by the international president and the secretary-treasurer.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
The friend threw a glass bottle at Sowells, who then pulled out a sharp object and challenged him to a fight.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
We now are faced with missing holidays with them to comply with their demands.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
In Chris Robinson’s eight years as Lake Highland Prep’s girls lacrosse head coach the Highlanders have faced American Heritage of Delray Beach every year in the final four, with most of those games coming down to the last minute.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Shabani argues that hardliners are not opposed to an agreement with the US, but rather want to be the ones striking the deal in order to gain influence and realign power structures within the country.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
At one point, Wyrick brought forward a measure to give board members more involvement in the selection process, but Scott opposed the proposal.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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