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
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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
Ignoring that reality defies logic.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Jabil board defies angry shareholders.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
No deaths have been reported, a fact that local officials say defies the odds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The show is built around Horikoshi’s manga, in which a Quirkless boy named Izuku Midoriya defies the odds to pursue his dream of becoming a hero after the most powerful hero of his era passes his ability on to him.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
That revealed something that defies what current models suggest.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
These pieces, written for piano in the late 1880s, have a spectral beauty that defies language.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2026
Starring Witherspoon as Woods, the film followed a seemingly superficial sorority president who defies stereotypes by earning a place at Harvard Law School.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, this belief defies common sense.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Jabil board defies angry shareholders.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
No deaths have been reported, a fact that local officials say defies the odds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The show is built around Horikoshi’s manga, in which a Quirkless boy named Izuku Midoriya defies the odds to pursue his dream of becoming a hero after the most powerful hero of his era passes his ability on to him.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
That revealed something that defies what current models suggest.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
These pieces, written for piano in the late 1880s, have a spectral beauty that defies language.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2026
Starring Witherspoon as Woods, the film followed a seemingly superficial sorority president who defies stereotypes by earning a place at Harvard Law School.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, this belief defies common sense.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defies
Verb
-
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
-
In each case, Akhavan dares the viewer to look closer, and perhaps, for a moment, let an object become more than our preconceptions.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
-
The regime’s new leadership, under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, appears to be even harsher than the previous one, eager to send a message to anyone who dares to challenge it.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The dinner scene with Niall’s mum, Lori (Neve McIntosh), and Ruben’s mum, Maura (Marianne McIvor) — when Joanna confronts them over Ruben’s behaviour — is both chilling and cathartic.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
During a particularly tense visit to his Florida home in her early 20s, Konkle confronts her dad about being inappropriate with her and other female friends.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
This ornamental onion attracts bees and butterflies (and resists deer and rabbits, too).—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2026
-
Organized in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Public Library System, the exhibition, which opened on April 3 and continues through June 25, unfolds as a traveling, evolving project that resists a single narrative.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The suggestion that a single day of civic action meaningfully undermines academic progress ignores the broader challenges students and educators face every day — challenges that often require advocacy to address.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The report ignores antisemitism, said longtime resident Alan Brownstein.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Speaking with the Tribune on Monday, Talley’s mother, Tamika Vaughen, said her son has been in and out of treatment facilities and medicated for mental health challenges his entire life.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The book, along with the show and 50 artists, really challenges old notions of what textile is.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jenkinson, who faces two counts, is accused of threatening Andrew on Wednesday and another man on Tuesday.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Price, who has represented the district since 2013, faces a dozen felony charges, including grand theft by embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest and perjury.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Moon in Sagittarius opposes Venus in Gemini, pulling you between what feels true and what keeps things easy with others.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
By Hadriana Lowenkron and Mark Anderson, Bloomberg The White House opposes a plan by Anthropic PBC to expand access to its Mythos AI model, an administration official said Wednesday night.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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