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
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Recent Examples of defy
Titian painted Saint Lawrence—a third-century church deacon who was slow-roasted for defying Roman authorities—bound to a palette over a sizzling fire, while a man thrusts a long, forked skewer into his torso.
—
Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Peru's economy, however, has defied both crime and the political instability stemming from a revolving door of presidents, having had three since October alone.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
Within three weeks, Marshall was walking and adjusting to his new normal, defying medical predictions.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Informed by flatness, abstraction, Minimalism, and social critique, her uniquely visceral works defied description.
—News Desk, Artforum, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Peru's economy, however, has defied both crime and the political instability stemming from a revolving door of presidents, having had three since October alone.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
Within three weeks, Marshall was walking and adjusting to his new normal, defying medical predictions.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Informed by flatness, abstraction, Minimalism, and social critique, her uniquely visceral works defied description.
—News Desk, Artforum, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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The department’s internal affairs unit was investigating Saulter on allegations of falsifying time sheets, disobeying a direct order and failing to properly report part-time employment, according to the letter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
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Authorities last August removed Dodik from the post of the president and temporarily banned him from politics for disobeying Schmidt's decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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But, more than just a fun commotion on a Tuesday night, Rex's daring getaway shows just how challenging owning a sulcata tortoise can be, even though the pet trade is so widespread that sulcata ownership featured as a punchline in a Saturday Night Live sketch.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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Sasha picks up the smoking ruins and throws it into the foliage, clearing the road for any tires that dare to tread.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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One day, the crew was filming a scene at one of Christie’s fashion shows, where the Velvet Gang confronts its nemesis.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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Despite strong critical support, it was allotted limited showtimes and minimal exhibition backing — a situation its makers came to see as emblematic of wider structural failures confronting Indian indie cinema.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
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But the California high school athletics governing body has resisted, sparking outrage from anti-trans groups.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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These allow companies to resist speculative takeover and embed mission and values for the benefit of employees, customers, and/or the broader community.—
Alex Amouyel,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Washington continued to ignore them in the recent campaign.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Even the wokest of the wokes are ignoring poor Megan.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no residency requirement to file a lawsuit challenging a project’s environmental review.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Bates also expressed concern that, under the Administration’s view of the case, its determination that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional cannot be challenged in court.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Many have infinity-edge hot tubs—and the hotel is in the process of installing those in every casita—and all face the Sea of Cortez.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Scotland is making its ninth World Cup appearance… Also, Haiti will play a pre-World Cup friendly against New Zealand at Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale stadium on June 2 and Turkey, a USA group opponent, faces Venezuela there on June 6.—
Michelle Kaufman
May 15,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Extending housing to remote areas requires new roads, water systems, sewers, schools, and fire protection, all of which are costly and often opposed by local governments.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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The wall is opposed by environmental groups, local sheriffs, and a far-right pro-gun YouTuber who is the region’s Republican nominee for Congress.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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