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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
While many observers expect retail sales to slow as the year progresses after the full force of tariffs hit, American consumer resilience could defy expectations and keep retail going strong, making Coresight’s upside 3.5% fourth-quarter growth scenario a distinct possibility.
—
Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Mariela’s shooting performances (all fictional) seemed to me to speak to her desire to create and destroy at the same time, to defy and also to reenact her losses.
—Jane Ciabattari
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
The administration’s tactics have no obvious parallel as Mr. Trump pushes the bounds of executive power and defies legal limits to carry out his agenda.
—Zach Montague, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Former State Police investigator Michael Proctor defied a subpoena to testify at a 2021 Milton murder hearing in Norfolk Superior Court on Monday morning, during which the former Karen Read-prosecutor Adam Lally took questions on the delays in certain evidence.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Mariela’s shooting performances (all fictional) seemed to me to speak to her desire to create and destroy at the same time, to defy and also to reenact her losses.
—Jane Ciabattari
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
The administration’s tactics have no obvious parallel as Mr. Trump pushes the bounds of executive power and defies legal limits to carry out his agenda.
—Zach Montague, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Former State Police investigator Michael Proctor defied a subpoena to testify at a 2021 Milton murder hearing in Norfolk Superior Court on Monday morning, during which the former Karen Read-prosecutor Adam Lally took questions on the delays in certain evidence.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Yet, shortly after the district court granted plaintiffs' emergency motion for a temporary restraining order, defendants appear to have disobeyed it.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
8 Aug. 2025
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That is not one, but two Cleons on the run, while the one remaining Cleon is already disobeying Demerzel and is way too close to the Foundation Ambassador (and there’s the whole thing of him being put down in a few days).—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The cornerback shaded to take away the middle part of the end zone, almost daring someone to test him on the boundary, and that’s about when Chiefs receiver Jason Brownlee knew.—
Sam McDowell
August 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 Aug. 2025
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There has, after all, been a lot of talk about whether Prince William would dare to do something that King Charles has so far been reluctant to do: taking away Prince Andrew and Prince Harry’s titles.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The suspect allegedly confronted a female employee before attacking Assad and Mohammad with a box cutter, the outlet said.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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But last month, top economist Brad DeLong argued in a recent essay that the challenges confronting young job-seekers today are primarily driven by widespread policy uncertainty and a sluggish economy—not by the rapid rise of AI tools.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Simply toss the topper, which resists pilling, fading, and shrinking, according to the brand, in the washing machine and tumble dry on low heat for convenient maintenance.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Don't scratch: A healing tattoo may be itchy, but resist the urge to scratch.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Nancy, Natascha, and Leslie all hoped to get Gary's rose, but in the end, the sparks between him and Leslie burned too bright to be ignored.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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But retail, especially large global brands with complex supply chains, cannot ignore the potential knock-on implications to their business.—
Scott Kelly,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The sport challenges participants’ ability to problem solve and navigate outdoor challenges, all against the clock.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Then there’s their talented position groups — specifically at wide receiver, tight end and defensive end — that can certainly challenge Miami offensively and defensively.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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All promise high returns — catnip for pension managers facing future payouts to retirees — but charge high fees, too.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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As the merger faced regulatory approval and Paramount engaged in settlement talks with Trump, staffers in the news division were in a perpetual state of consternation, while Democratic lawmakers raised the prospect that of a violation of anti-bribery laws.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump does not oppose the plan and has decided not to intervene in the conflict, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
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Many activists in Oak Park have consistently opposed the cameras and called for their removal.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
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