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
Joseph of Egypt tells the Old Testament story about Joseph (Adam Hamshi), who, betrayed by jealous brothers, defies all expectations and rises to incredible power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
—
Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Its economy today is one that defies gravity.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
On Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vučić has also backtracked, expressing support for long-time Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik – who has been barred from office by the country’s constitutional court, but defies that ruling.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Lima defies culinary expectations at every turn.
—Marisol Mosquera, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Slowly, as the curtain lifts on the institution’s insane practices and the complicity of the town at large, the narrative reaches a wild conclusion that defies expectation.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
And Kimmel could be let go simply because of his contract, not making enough money or saying something that defies the code of conduct.
—NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
Regardless, their versatility defies categorization.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025
The same way this writer/director took a hard left from the on-screen career millions have assumed for him since birth, his own creation defies expectations and crafts something far more memorable than any lukewarm nepo debut.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Its economy today is one that defies gravity.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
On Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vučić has also backtracked, expressing support for long-time Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik – who has been barred from office by the country’s constitutional court, but defies that ruling.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Lima defies culinary expectations at every turn.
—Marisol Mosquera, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Slowly, as the curtain lifts on the institution’s insane practices and the complicity of the town at large, the narrative reaches a wild conclusion that defies expectation.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
And Kimmel could be let go simply because of his contract, not making enough money or saying something that defies the code of conduct.
—NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
Regardless, their versatility defies categorization.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025
The same way this writer/director took a hard left from the on-screen career millions have assumed for him since birth, his own creation defies expectations and crafts something far more memorable than any lukewarm nepo debut.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defies
Verb
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Yet no less worthy are the moments of self-correction, when a thinker dares to undo what once seemed certain.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
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The commentary on how responsibilities take over our lives, forcing us to dismiss what’s truly valuable, never dares to substantially poke at the reasons why this occurs, such as economic inequality, lack of opportunities and corporate greed.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The story takes a darker turn as Saruul becomes a victim of blackmail and Myagmar confronts the limits of forgiveness, leading to a devastating choice.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
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His crushing final monologue, in which Vladimir confronts his own nihilism, is as potent as anything you're bound to see on Broadway this year.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The series resists clean answers.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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The rug is suitable for high-traffic areas and is designed with durability in mind, with low-pile fabric that doesn’t shed and resists stains.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The data analysis also ignores injuries and property destruction in non-fatal attacks as measures of political violence.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
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But his mother constantly overshares, has no privacy filters on her accounts and ignores our requests to avoid posting our children’s names or our birthdays.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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Their paper challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which assumes that the effects of dark energy remain constant.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Today, as the world faces over 60 conflicts — the highest number since the end of World War II — play remains as important as ever.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
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Now Parker faces the scrutiny of the general TV audience.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Consumer Watchdog, not surprisingly, opposes Lara’s new rules.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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