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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defy
Last season, for reasons that defied explanation, the Penguins were actually good on the second games of back-to-backs, relatively speaking.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
With a soundtrack that has dominated music spaces around the globe for the past four months, KPop Demon Hunters has repeatedly defied expectations — which is in no small part why Ami feels particularly proud to be representing her community at the biggest music awards in the world.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Oklahoma Indian Territory who defied poverty and prejudice to become one of America’s first Black female millionaires — at just 11 years old.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
This administration is defying court orders at rates unimaginable in any other presidency.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
With a soundtrack that has dominated music spaces around the globe for the past four months, KPop Demon Hunters has repeatedly defied expectations — which is in no small part why Ami feels particularly proud to be representing her community at the biggest music awards in the world.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Oklahoma Indian Territory who defied poverty and prejudice to become one of America’s first Black female millionaires — at just 11 years old.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
This administration is defying court orders at rates unimaginable in any other presidency.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Illinois State Police cited him on suspicion of disobeying a police officer – a petty offense punishable by a fine – Cook County court records show, and is scheduled to appear in court November 25.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Harvick said the agency gave lawful orders for the crowd to move back, which were disobeyed.—
Daniella Silva,
NBC news,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This marks Pharrell’s latest win in a standout year — from curating the Louis Vuitton menswear line to redefining sneaker culture with one of Adidas’ most visually daring designs.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
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With its tales of daring escapes and midnight rendezvous, life-or-death hiding places, secret signs and code words, the Underground Railroad has long captured Americans' imagination.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This could look like confronting jealousy in a relationship, realizing a friendship has turned competitive or renegotiating a partnership where one person holds the reins.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it, confronting family, identity, and a relationship that becomes life-or-death.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Patriot resists easy characterization chiefly because of Conrad’s writing, which gives his characters strange rhythms and, sometimes, even stranger verbiage.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
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Will you be allowed to bring in your own people, or will the Monforts — owner Dick Monfort and his son Walker, the executive vice president — resist your efforts?—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The same is true of Guiteau’s eventual imprisonment and trial, which aren’t ignored but barely touch on the wackiness that actually ensued.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But when asked about the duo, McKillop elected to talk about the entire backcourt, making play-time decisions challenging this early in the season with a brand new roster.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
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By failing to challenge India’s support for an autocratic regime, the United States inadvertently opened the door for China.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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How many voters supported, opposed Measure G In Nevada County, the largest portion of the library district, voters supported Measure G with by a 7-to-3 margin.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Her sentiments seemed to oppose the ongoing family drama amid reports of tension within her extended family, including her son Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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