Synonyms of defy

defy

verb

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

• disobey
• ignore
• violate
• mock
• resist
• oppose
• dismiss
• reject
• disregard
• fight
• flout
• rebel (against)
• overlook
• transgress
• disoblige
• withstand
• pass over
• breach
• break
• tune out
• combat
• scorn
• dispute
• shrug off
• infringe
• contest
• pooh-pooh
• overpass
• buck
• pooh
• revolt (against)
• scoff (at)
• mutiny (against)
• wink (at)
• brush (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obey
• follow
• comply (with)
• conform (to)
• serve
• submit (to)
• mind
• yield (to)
• keep
• surrender (to)
• defer (to)
• concede (to)
• stoop (to)
• cooperate (with)
• observe
• agree (to)
• capitulate (to)
• hear
• oblige
• heed
• accede (to)
• listen (to)
• goose-step (to)
• regard
• attend
• watch
• acquiesce (to)
• assent (to)
• notice
• mark
• note

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• obey
• follow
• comply (with)
• conform (to)
• serve
• submit (to)
• mind
• yield (to)
• keep
• surrender (to)
• defer (to)
• concede (to)
• stoop (to)
• cooperate (with)
• observe
• agree (to)
• capitulate (to)
• hear
• oblige
• heed
• accede (to)
• listen (to)
• goose-step (to)
• regard
• attend
• watch
• acquiesce (to)
• assent (to)
• notice
• mark
• note

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2

as in to dare

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dare
• challenge
• confront
• brave
• stump
• brazen
• breast
• beard
• outbrave
• face
• outface

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

• confront
• face
• dare
• brave
• withstand
• resist
• brazen
• encounter
• breast
• beard
• meet
• outbrave
• outface
• fight
• stand up to
• affront
• challenge
• oppose
• stand
• front
• approach
• accost
• repel
• battle
• combat
• face up (to)
• corner
• contend (with)
• square (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• sidestep
• shun
• eschew
• shirk
• dodge
• evade
• elude
• escape
• shake
• duck
• funk

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• avoid
• sidestep
• shun
• eschew
• shirk
• dodge
• evade
• elude
• escape
• shake
• duck
• funk

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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

• resist
• oppose
• withstand
• fight
• repel
• contradict
• thwart
• buck
• challenge
• combat
• hinder
• balk
• frustrate
• battle
• contest
• counter
• obstruct
• dispute
• baffle
• stem
• foil
• check
• contend (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succumb (to)
• submit (to)
• bow (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• stoop (to)
• capitulate (to)
• give in (to)
• knuckle under (to)

• succumb (to)
• submit (to)
• bow (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• stoop (to)
• capitulate (to)
• give in (to)
• knuckle under (to)

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