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
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
How can people with such a strong attachment to faith and family vote for someone who criticizes religious leaders and defies so many ethical standards?
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
He is listed at 7-foot-4 but actually stands closer to 7-foot-6, and moves across the floor in a way that defies our understanding of humanity.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 10 June 2026
That practice defies a longstanding norm in medicine – to wait for the FDA to approve a drug before prescribing it – and is contributing to a booming commercial marketplace for a drug that is barred from sale by federal law.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Charade was shot on location in Paris and the French Alps, and the end result is a stylish romp with a clever script and a pair of leads whose chemistry defies their age gap.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
The ever-expanding, replicating, and manipulating series of rooms take scraps and memories of those who pass through it, expanding into something that defies personality or ease.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Now living on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Cook says one of the biggest surprises has been how much Alaska defies the stereotypes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
There are three possible outcomes for the June 2 primary, assuming none of the other 58 candidates defies political logic and makes it into the race over the next two weeks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
How can people with such a strong attachment to faith and family vote for someone who criticizes religious leaders and defies so many ethical standards?
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
He is listed at 7-foot-4 but actually stands closer to 7-foot-6, and moves across the floor in a way that defies our understanding of humanity.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 10 June 2026
That practice defies a longstanding norm in medicine – to wait for the FDA to approve a drug before prescribing it – and is contributing to a booming commercial marketplace for a drug that is barred from sale by federal law.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Charade was shot on location in Paris and the French Alps, and the end result is a stylish romp with a clever script and a pair of leads whose chemistry defies their age gap.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
The ever-expanding, replicating, and manipulating series of rooms take scraps and memories of those who pass through it, expanding into something that defies personality or ease.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Now living on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Cook says one of the biggest surprises has been how much Alaska defies the stereotypes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
There are three possible outcomes for the June 2 primary, assuming none of the other 58 candidates defies political logic and makes it into the race over the next two weeks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 May 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
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Once a driver disobeys a lawful order (refusing to exit the vehicle in this case), the encounter escalates from investigation to active resistance.—
Dana D. Kelley,
Washington Post,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Monsters University dares to tell kids that their dreams may not come true, and that changing the goalposts of your ambitions is a healthy part of life.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
26 June 2025
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Though subtle in color, the gorgeously detailed design really dares you not to notice her hands.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
23 June 2025
Verb
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In the short films, the Cay Skin founder returns to her childhood bedroom, confronts misunderstood chapters of her past, and meets her younger self with compassion.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
9 Dec. 2025
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Trisha, now realizing that Elias has been lying to her, confronts him at the Abandons ranch.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Yet Smith resists the idea that Democrats should define a future majority solely through investigations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 June 2026
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There’s also a broader cultural undercurrent shaping all of this—a down-to-earth atmosphere that resists hierarchy and self-importance.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Six Sex never ignores the horrors, but uses them as fuel for a debut that unfurls as a freewheeling post-porno blitz.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
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But dismissing the current structure as inadequate or politically driven ignores decades of success and the collaborative model that has restored and sustained wildlife populations nationwide.—
Mike Elfenbein,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 June 2026
Verb
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For drivers, the tournament presents an opportunity to earn more money — but also challenges navigating crowded streets and road closures.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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And in the statewide Latin exam, which challenges students in Latin language proficiency, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, mythology and Roman history among other categories, 36 students earned high honors.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The Venezuelan leader now faces the largest US naval and air blockade deployed in the Caribbean in decades.—
Inés Capdevila,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
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And Detective Safford faces an overwhelming task.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Behind a wall of tour buses was a counter-demonstration hosted by the extremist group Lehava, which opposes Jewish-Arab coexistence and gay relationships.—
Theia Chatelle,
Sun Sentinel,
8 June 2026
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Gay opposes the population initiative on the ground of excessive state intervention.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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