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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defying
Visiting North Korea gives Xi another chance to show himself as an agile powerbroker able to engage a diverse cast of leaders, from the chief of the world’s most powerful democracy to an autocrat with a sanctions-defying weapons regime.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Men and women had gathered to demonstrate against the recent arrest of women and girls over alleged violations of the Taliban's strict dress code, defying the country's rulers who have cracked down violently on previous protests since retaking control of the country almost five years ago.
—Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The paintings featured include scenes of unassuming houses visited by otherworldly guests, dead-eyed office workers, gravity-defying displays and lambs being led to the slaughter.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
What to read this week Since the start of the Iran war, a slew of workarounds is keeping crude oil below $100 a barrel, defying many of the industry’s grimmest forecasts for prices as high as $200.
—Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Not emphasizing the one is like defying the laws of gravity.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
That means head-spinning footwork, gravity-defying dunks and balls that may burst into flame.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
Applegate is accused of defying her security team’s demands to leave the property before police arrived.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 June 2026
Patrick Dorgu has typically been used further up the pitch by Carrick, and should that persist, another left-back could be added, despite Luke Shaw defying the odds to start all of United’s 38 Premier League games this season.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Men and women had gathered to demonstrate against the recent arrest of women and girls over alleged violations of the Taliban's strict dress code, defying the country's rulers who have cracked down violently on previous protests since retaking control of the country almost five years ago.
—Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The paintings featured include scenes of unassuming houses visited by otherworldly guests, dead-eyed office workers, gravity-defying displays and lambs being led to the slaughter.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
What to read this week Since the start of the Iran war, a slew of workarounds is keeping crude oil below $100 a barrel, defying many of the industry’s grimmest forecasts for prices as high as $200.
—Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Not emphasizing the one is like defying the laws of gravity.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
That means head-spinning footwork, gravity-defying dunks and balls that may burst into flame.
—ABC News, 5 June 2026
Applegate is accused of defying her security team’s demands to leave the property before police arrived.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 June 2026
Patrick Dorgu has typically been used further up the pitch by Carrick, and should that persist, another left-back could be added, despite Luke Shaw defying the odds to start all of United’s 38 Premier League games this season.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
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Jakubowski faces charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor, reckless driving, interfering with an officer, improper use of maker plates, possession of drug paraphernalia, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to maintain the proper lane.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
-
Icarus disobeying his father Daedalus and flying too close to the sun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Verb
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State workers from six departments were bestowed with California’s highest honor for public employees who have performed daring rescues in extreme conditions, including floods, wildfires and active shooter incidents.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Wang has made a habit of wearing daring looks at recent events.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Video circulating online appeared to show members of the public confronting the attacker, including one person wielding a hurling stick.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
There’s a similar feeling throughout Disclosure Day that the characters are confronting something traumatic and trying to find a way to the other side.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
Appleberry also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician and battery, as well as allegations stemming from a 2023 assault case involving a weapon.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
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So the notion of Moreau ignoring his family’s wishes and flying to Los Angeles to see his Devils isn’t novel.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
The city of Aledo is considering ordinances targeting e-bikes and golf carts following numerous complaints from residents that riders are ignoring traffic rules, running stop signs and disregarding pedestrians on sidewalks.—
Mary Ella Hastings
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Take the short and challenging Human Anatomy IQ Test to really put your knowledge about the human body to the test.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Robot dogs are also being used for inspections in high-voltage environments and other locations that are challenging or hazardous for human workers.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The hotel's Ajax Tavern, directly facing the mountain, has indoor and outdoor seating and is a great spot for a drink or hot bowl of soup (or, why not, a Wagyu cheeseburger with truffle fries) while watching people make their final runs down at the end of the day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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Vance himself has been a frequent topic of conversation on the show, often facing critiques from Goldberg and Behar.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Both on the same team would force some difficult decisions for opposing offenses, especially with Turner, Byron Young and Braden Fiske rounding out the pass rush.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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Speaker Mike Johnson applauded the passage in a statement Tuesday afternoon, blasting Democrats for opposing the bill.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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