1
as in disobeys
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 confronts
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 resists
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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Recent Examples of defies
That is the exact term that should be used when a professional athlete defies the calls for complete and utter loyalty to the LGBTQ agenda during Pride Nights.
—
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
How can people with such a strong attachment to faith and family vote for someone who criticizes religious leaders and defies so many ethical standards?
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
He is listed at 7-foot-4 but actually stands closer to 7-foot-6, and moves across the floor in a way that defies our understanding of humanity.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 10 June 2026
That practice defies a longstanding norm in medicine – to wait for the FDA to approve a drug before prescribing it – and is contributing to a booming commercial marketplace for a drug that is barred from sale by federal law.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Charade was shot on location in Paris and the French Alps, and the end result is a stylish romp with a clever script and a pair of leads whose chemistry defies their age gap.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
The ever-expanding, replicating, and manipulating series of rooms take scraps and memories of those who pass through it, expanding into something that defies personality or ease.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Now living on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Cook says one of the biggest surprises has been how much Alaska defies the stereotypes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
There are three possible outcomes for the June 2 primary, assuming none of the other 58 candidates defies political logic and makes it into the race over the next two weeks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
How can people with such a strong attachment to faith and family vote for someone who criticizes religious leaders and defies so many ethical standards?
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
He is listed at 7-foot-4 but actually stands closer to 7-foot-6, and moves across the floor in a way that defies our understanding of humanity.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 10 June 2026
That practice defies a longstanding norm in medicine – to wait for the FDA to approve a drug before prescribing it – and is contributing to a booming commercial marketplace for a drug that is barred from sale by federal law.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Charade was shot on location in Paris and the French Alps, and the end result is a stylish romp with a clever script and a pair of leads whose chemistry defies their age gap.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
The ever-expanding, replicating, and manipulating series of rooms take scraps and memories of those who pass through it, expanding into something that defies personality or ease.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Now living on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Cook says one of the biggest surprises has been how much Alaska defies the stereotypes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
There are three possible outcomes for the June 2 primary, assuming none of the other 58 candidates defies political logic and makes it into the race over the next two weeks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defies
Verb
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Still, a young kid is a young kid no matter the era, and to fulfill his wish of seeing real dinosaurs, Arco disobeys his parents.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Amazon show dares to dream that romantic love need not be a clash of wills.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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Her healing skills soon prove invaluable, but her wild, curious nature unsettles the monks as an evil count threatens to destroy anyone who dares protect her.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Something invisible dissolved in a syringe confronts something invisible inside someone—and an event doesn’t happen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The fire department now receives more than 110,000 calls each year for fires, medical crises and other emergencies, as the city confronts rising wildfire risks and an entrenched homelessness crisis that demands first responders’ attention.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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There’s also a broader cultural undercurrent shaping all of this—a down-to-earth atmosphere that resists hierarchy and self-importance.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
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Yet Smith resists the idea that Democrats should define a future majority solely through investigations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Six Sex never ignores the horrors, but uses them as fuel for a debut that unfurls as a freewheeling post-porno blitz.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
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Relying on a single test ignores the daily, practical hurdles our patients face.—
Eric Wargotz,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The Holy Spirit challenges us today regarding our relationship with technology and the ongoing digital revolution.—
Pope Leo XIV,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
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The New York Fed analysis challenges the popular narrative that artificial intelligence is the primary driver of sluggish entry-level hiring.—
Bill Pan,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Los Angeles County Judge Robert Draper, who faces misconduct allegations and health concerns, lost his bid for reelection in a rare defeat for an incumbent.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Saturday is a Gridlock Alert Day in New York City as Brazil faces Morocco in the first FIFA Men's World Cup match in New Jersey.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The agency represents the public, particularly residential and small-businesses customers, in utility proceedings and opposes the proposal.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 June 2026
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Also last week, the House passed an aid package to Ukraine, which Trump opposes, after 18 Republicans broke with their party and joined Democrats.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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