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
Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, the film follows Araki Murashige, a warlord who defies the formidable Oda Nobunaga and finds his stronghold sealed off from outside help.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 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
Because neurological diversity frequently defies preconceptions, this extended demography is crucial.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, this belief defies common sense.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Here’s where the report defies the prevailing narrative.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
This is the second recent case that defies sound judgment.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 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
Because neurological diversity frequently defies preconceptions, this extended demography is crucial.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, this belief defies common sense.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Here’s where the report defies the prevailing narrative.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
This is the second recent case that defies sound judgment.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 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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Continue reading … MAP WARS HEAT UP — DeSantis dares Hakeem Jeffries to visit Florida after 'f-around and find out' taunt.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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And there’s that quesadilla negro with the squid-ink tortilla and the short rib and the green goddess, the quesadilla that dares you to call it bar food.—
Mike Sutter,
San Antonio Express-News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Jackson Five find success; then, in the late seventies, the adult Michael (played, with extraordinary flair, by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew) seeks a solo career—and confronts Joe’s domineering maneuvers.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Moments after arriving, Donaldson confronts the driver, who was still inside the car; the officer ends up being pulled into DeSouza’s getaway car by the force of acceleration, while attempting to reach in and pull him out.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bed resists public-facing things, hence its charge as a womb to tomb motif.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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The legislation would create uniform statewide standards, replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances, an approach that has the backing of the Illinois Municipal League, which typically resists state efforts to preempt home rule authority.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That critique also conveniently ignores how much of the existing media landscape was built on government largesse.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
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In other words, the life-writer cannot take a doggedly factual approach that ignores a whole layer of emotional and imaginative experience.—
Sara Wheeler,
Big Think,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Blending investigative storytelling, history, and personal narrative, The Vodou Project challenges old perceptions and celebrates the spiritual and cultural heritage at the heart of Haitian identity.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
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Phillip frequently challenges Jennings, but her most notable rebuke involved fitness trainer Jillian Michaels in August last year.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bristy has not been found as of Saturday, but the suspect faces two murder counts.—
Robert McGreevy , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the investigative outlet Inkyfada faces a court hearing May 11 as authorities pursue the dissolution of Al Khatt, the association that publishes it.—
Ghaya ben Mbarek,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yet while most of the country opposes the Iran conflict, Republican voters maintain their support for the president’s actions — a major factor in the defeat of Thursday’s measure.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
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Hezbollah, which opposes the talks and was not represented, escalated attacks on northern Israel as negotiations began.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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