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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Jeddah, the film follows a young Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver whose unlikely friendship defies social boundaries and time.
—
Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
There, she becomes intrigued by Malaise (Bajrami), a charming young shopgirl for whom Angine is willing to defy the prohibition of kissing.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Some of the biggest stars in the world made appearances throughout the weekend, including James McAvoy, Elliot Page, Sigourney Weaver, Shang-Chi star Simu Liu, and genre-defying musician turned comic book author Post Malone.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
No wonder our experts rate Lenovo laptops highly in their reviews, and this physics defying laptop is no different.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
There, she becomes intrigued by Malaise (Bajrami), a charming young shopgirl for whom Angine is willing to defy the prohibition of kissing.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Some of the biggest stars in the world made appearances throughout the weekend, including James McAvoy, Elliot Page, Sigourney Weaver, Shang-Chi star Simu Liu, and genre-defying musician turned comic book author Post Malone.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
No wonder our experts rate Lenovo laptops highly in their reviews, and this physics defying laptop is no different.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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In Missouri, disobeying traffic lights is considered a moving violation.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
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This was neither the first nor the last time that Patton disobeyed an order.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on daring discoveries and classic coffee.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Most military leaders believed Japan would not dare strike directly at American territory, though.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tranter mounted a spirited defense of the Time Lord when confronted with Shearman’s quote.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
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The following year, on the evening of June 2, 2023, Lorincz—as was typical—confronted some children.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For a full display, the set includes 12 bundles of flowers with brown faux eucalyptus leaves, and each piece is made from artificial silk and plastic designed to resist fading and damage from the sun and other weather conditions.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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Unlike a killer hiding in the woods, a guy who gets you in your dreams is literally impossible to hide from, and watching our plucky heroine Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) trying to resist sleep presents a new kind of awful torture.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Premier League football in the 2000s could be dramatic and explosive, but what the nostalgia for that era ignores is the number of dour, sterile games there were, many of them settled by a goal from a set piece.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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At some point, the truth becomes impossible to ignore.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The surging price of gold is boosting some developing economies, challenging the US dollar’s hegemony — and changing jewelry designs.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives further challenged the business, Barra also said.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Economists warn the incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a fragmented legislature.—
Reuters 3 min ago,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
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Wealthier Americans have been assisted by rising house values, lucrative stock market returns and favorable credit, while lower- and middle-income buyers have faced tighter budgets and have been hit hard by rising inflation.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chicago has emerged as a focal point in the national debate, with the city's leadership vocally opposing federal immigration crackdowns and raids.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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Gallrein, who Trump endorsed after months of calling for someone to oppose Massie, ran for the Kentucky state Senate District 7 seat in 2024, but lost the Republican primary to fellow Navy SEAL Aaron Reed.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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