Synonyms of defying

defying

verb

present participle of defy

1

as in disobeying

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

• disobeying
• ignoring
• violating
• mocking
• resisting
• dismissing
• rejecting
• opposing
• disregarding
• fighting
• rebelling (against)
• flouting
• overlooking
• breaching
• scorning
• withstanding
• transgressing
• breaking
• combating
• passing over
• contesting
• bucking
• revolting (against)
• disputing
• disobliging
• brushing (off)
• pooh-poohing
• tuning out
• infringing
• shrugging off
• scoffing (at)
• winking (at)
• overpassing
• mutinying (against)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• obeying
• complying (with)
• conforming (to)
• serving
• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• minding
• surrendering (to)
• deferring (to)
• stooping (to)
• conceding (to)
• cooperating (with)
• keeping
• observing
• capitulating (to)
• obliging
• agreeing (to)
• regarding
• heeding
• hearing
• attending
• goose-stepping (to)
• watching
• marking
• noticing
• noting
• listening (to)
• acceding (to)
• assenting (to)
• acquiescing (to)

2

as in daring

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

• daring
• challenging
• confronting
• stumping
• braving
• breasting
• facing
• brazening
• bearding
• outbraving
• outfacing

3

as in confronting

to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage

a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confronting
• facing
• braving
• withstanding
• daring
• resisting
• breasting
• encountering
• standing up to
• brazening
• fighting
• outbraving
• bearding
• meeting
• outfacing
• affronting
• challenging
• approaching
• fronting
• standing
• opposing
• facing up (to)
• battling
• combating
• accosting
• repelling
• cornering
• contending (with)
• squaring (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoiding
• sidestepping
• dodging
• shirking
• ducking
• eschewing
• shunning
• evading
• shaking
• escaping
• eluding
• funking

4

as in resisting

to refuse to give in to

a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resisting
• opposing
• withstanding
• fighting
• bucking
• repelling
• combating
• thwarting
• contradicting
• contesting
• challenging
• battling
• countering
• hindering
• contending (with)
• stemming
• obstructing
• disputing
• balking
• frustrating
• checking
• baffling
• foiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• bowing (to)
• succumbing (to)
• surrendering (to)
• stooping (to)
• giving in (to)
• capitulating (to)
• knuckling under (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defying

By defying those distinctions, terrorists reproduce the worst of nature’s rages. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

The animal-free circus show blends choreography with gravity-defying acrobatics on silks and hoops. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Washington — The House unanimously agreed to hold billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas as part of lawmakers' investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Its grief is processual, a crucible that takes the shape its actors and characters mold of it while defying mere mortal charge. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026

Five years later, 28 All Blacks returned to South Africa as the unofficial Cavaliers, defying an international boycott which helped sustain apartheid’s sporting legitimacy. — Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The spa brochure ranges from seashell massages (which, yes, involve giant seashells covered in coconut oil) to traditional Thai rubdowns and every kind of herbal body wrap, detox-scrub and age-defying facial in between. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

The two-hour live talent show features stunts including performances by the high-speed bicycle troupe and acrobats from high-flying trapeze acts to gravity-defying acrobatics to Latin dance blending salsa-style movement with acrobatics. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026