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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defies
This unexpected uniformity, appearing in nearly 90% of 20,000 stories from four distinct AIs, defies assumptions of random composition or independent operation.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
CoRoT 2b defies this expectation too, possessing a hotspot in the opposite direction of its orbit.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
There’s something about a classic crosshatch pattern that defies trends.
—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
The arbitrary classification defies public health knowledge and ignores decades of rigorous health services literature.
—
David S. Shapiro,
STAT,
30 June 2026
Fresh-faced and energetic, with salt-and-pepper curls falling over the shoulders of her moss-green sweater and gold jewelry punctuating her gestures, Brock Akil is youthful in a way that defies Hollywood’s ever-more-plasticky imitation of youth.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 June 2026
Bello’s regression this season has been shocking to behold, and his Jekyll and Hyde act when starting games versus coming out as a bulk reliever defies explanation.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
The company has mutated into something that defies both comparison and logic.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Ray McMillian is a talented Black classical violinist who defies systemic racism and his family’s discouragement to achieve musical success.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
CoRoT 2b defies this expectation too, possessing a hotspot in the opposite direction of its orbit.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
There’s something about a classic crosshatch pattern that defies trends.
—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
The arbitrary classification defies public health knowledge and ignores decades of rigorous health services literature.
—
David S. Shapiro,
STAT,
30 June 2026
Fresh-faced and energetic, with salt-and-pepper curls falling over the shoulders of her moss-green sweater and gold jewelry punctuating her gestures, Brock Akil is youthful in a way that defies Hollywood’s ever-more-plasticky imitation of youth.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 June 2026
Bello’s regression this season has been shocking to behold, and his Jekyll and Hyde act when starting games versus coming out as a bulk reliever defies explanation.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
The company has mutated into something that defies both comparison and logic.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Ray McMillian is a talented Black classical violinist who defies systemic racism and his family’s discouragement to achieve musical success.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 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.
Verb
-
More than a century later, the Chicago World's Fair remains one of the most remarkable chapters in this city's history and a powerful reminder of what can happen when a city dares to dream big.
-
Then comes Erling Haaland, a high-speed human bulldozer, striking the fear of God into any defender or goalkeeper who dares stand in his way.
Verb
-
While celebrating this enduring model, the nation confronts serious challenges and concerning efforts to suppress civic groups.
-
When ambitious young athlete Jamal (Stenline) enters her life and confronts the dangerous world around her, everything fractures.
Verb
-
The episodes bounce between periods as Angelyne tries new ventures (a music career) and resists others (a Playboy photoshoot), all while avoiding the journalist (Alex Karpovsky) and documentarian (Lukas Gage) trying to uncover her origin story.
-
The book, like the exhibition, is overwhelming, resists linear reading, and purposefully drives the observer into a state of disorientation.
Verb
-
Stating that Palestinians are entitled to a country of their own ignores the facts.
-
With the job’s high salary, live-in accommodations and her love of children on her mind, Layla ignores Jasmine’s concerns and drives to the family’s estate to meet Zuri.
Verb
-
For example, a free kick should be awarded in such circumstances if an offside player blocks an opponent’s view of the ball, challenges an opponent for the ball, or tries to play it but misses.
-
One seeks to block prosecutors from relying on certain hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing, while the other challenges Graf's decision not to require key witness Lance Twiggs to testify in person.
Verb
-
On Monday, McFarlane and two friends were outside the fencing, leaning against the metal barriers in front of the Department of Agriculture, which faces the National Mall.
-
Look at the racial hostility that Caitlin Clark faces from Black players and media members on a nightly basis.
Verb
-
The workers' group opposes Ryder's Law, which will sever the main income source for many of the heavily immigrant owners and drivers.
-
Your voice is not wasted, and vote-splitting cannot hand the seat to a candidate the majority opposes.
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
