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
The company has mutated into something that defies both comparison and logic.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
His post-match interview revealed the usual Messi, the man who continues to showcase the kind of humanity, dignity, honor and humility that defies every standard of today’s society, consumed with the search for attention and glory at any cost.
—Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The kindhearted himbo defies the outdated displays of masculinity expected from male athletes.
—Carlos Aguilar, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The film follows a Bigfoot hoax that goes horribly wrong in the middle of an actual Sasquatch hot spot, leading to a chaotic struggle between the hoaxers, investigators, and a supernatural force that defies explanation.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 June 2026
There’s something about a classic crosshatch pattern that defies trends.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026
Then again, so much about Sirianni’s ascent to the top of his profession defies conventional wisdom.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026
That, like many of the performances noted in this essay, certainly defies an easy label—so why not label it art?
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
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
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
His post-match interview revealed the usual Messi, the man who continues to showcase the kind of humanity, dignity, honor and humility that defies every standard of today’s society, consumed with the search for attention and glory at any cost.
—Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The kindhearted himbo defies the outdated displays of masculinity expected from male athletes.
—Carlos Aguilar, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The film follows a Bigfoot hoax that goes horribly wrong in the middle of an actual Sasquatch hot spot, leading to a chaotic struggle between the hoaxers, investigators, and a supernatural force that defies explanation.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 June 2026
There’s something about a classic crosshatch pattern that defies trends.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026
Then again, so much about Sirianni’s ascent to the top of his profession defies conventional wisdom.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026
That, like many of the performances noted in this essay, certainly defies an easy label—so why not label it art?
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
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
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
-
The pressure to prove yourself is on when the Leo moon confronts Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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The fifth installment confronts the all-too-real reality that kids would rather play with screens than action figures.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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The enamel is nonreactive, nonporous, and also resists stains, rust, scratches, and smell absorption.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Furthermore, the new deal ignores Lebanon’s efforts to free itself from Iran’s influence in the country through its Hezbollah ally.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
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Rambling usually ignores it when Dean Cain posts one of his tirades against liberal Hollywood.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Verb
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If feedback challenges a detail, adjust the plan and keep your discerning eye on what truly helps.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
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Brantley argues that this history challenges the conventional view of the decade as a period when leftist activism receded and conservative politics prevailed.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
12 June 2026
Verb
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But the technology still faces hurdles, experts said, and labor groups including the Teamsters are raising alarms over safety and availability of jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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Balogun is expected to join today’s lineup as the team faces Australia at Seattle Stadium this afternoon.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Verb
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If Dumerlus is sentenced to the maximum penalty (Trump would surely prefer the death penalty, but Canada opposes it), the country with the maple leaf will be viewed favorably by the president.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2026
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PayPal and Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel has contributed $3 million to the California Business Roundtable, which opposes the tax.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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