1
as in to disobey
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 to confront
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 to resist
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 defy
Escher's Relativity artwork features a room with staircases criss-crossing in a labyrinth-like way, with figures walking on them defying the laws of gravity.
—
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Of course, even the U.S. Constitution can be undermined if a president defies the Supreme Court.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
With the state suffering a $12 billion deficit and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco strongly calling for termination, the other Democratic candidates also need to defy the unions still pushing the project and come out sharply against it.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Of course, even the U.S. Constitution can be undermined if a president defies the Supreme Court.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
With the state suffering a $12 billion deficit and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco strongly calling for termination, the other Democratic candidates also need to defy the unions still pushing the project and come out sharply against it.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
-
The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, rebuked Apple for thwarting a previous ruling in the lawsuit and said the company needed to be stopped from further disobeying the court.—
Tripp Mickle,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
She was taken to Troop A in Southbury and charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, disobeying the signal of an officer, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension and operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
-
Richardson, known for her daring spirit and difficult-to-beat top-end speed, brings several valuable qualities to the table that will set the ATHLOS league up for success.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Bustos also confronted Grippo around that time, telling him his comments were inappropriate, according to the complaint.—
Suhauna Hussain,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
While college should be a time of parties, spring break trips, challenging classes, and new relationships, today's young adults are increasingly confronted with something far more sobering: the death of their peers.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Henry’s story is a lesson in how resisting new technology through sheer willpower can be self-defeating.—
Greg Edwards,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
-
Following the ordeal, Jung couldn't resist reliving the experience and sharing it on social media.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
The economics are simply too compelling for businesses to ignore: A single AI system can process the workload of dozens of employees at a fraction of the usual labor cost.—
Adam Bowen,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
All of those changes are being challenged in court.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
-
In creative domains, AI is generating art, music, and literature that challenges our assumptions about human uniqueness while simultaneously expanding the boundaries of aesthetic experience.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
One university, Oregon, is already facing an existing Title IX class action lawsuit that includes claims of inequitable treatment related to NIL opportunities and resources.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 June 2025
-
Because then all of a sudden you’re faced with all of these different philosophies and traditions.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
The legislation, Senate Bill 8, passed on a largely party-line vote of 87 to 59, with 13 Democrats opposed and one Republican, Rep. Tom Delnicki of South Windsor, in favor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
-
Some medical practitioners also opposed the measure.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share