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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defying
And the narrative is eking out slowly, defying the notion that contemporary scandals are contained within brief news cycles.
—
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Neither did the other women obsessed not just with the lung-searing, leg-burning intensity of a cross-country ski race, but also with the gravity-defying, jaw-dropping sensation of flying.
—Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The games, which find Mario defying gravity in an effort to save Princess Peach from Bowser, have been lauded by gamers as some of the best titles in the sprawling Super Mario canon.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
Yeah, this is a very common methodology for those that are spreading lies about the elections, defying, just throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
More than a dozen anti-immigration enforcement agitators were arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside Columbia University in New York after allegedly defying orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
From gravity-defying figure skaters to adrenaline-chasing snowboarders, athletes from over 90 countries will convene in the snowy mountains of Italy—as well as the country’s historic cities—to compete in 16 of the riskiest and most beautiful sports held on the ice and snow.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
Besides defying the subpoenas to testify before the House committee, neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing and both deny having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
Repeatedly, the project seems to transcend the projects, defying gravity in its poetic depiction of how this resilient, supportive community comes together around Lil Ant, stepping in where his father stumbles to embrace the boy.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Neither did the other women obsessed not just with the lung-searing, leg-burning intensity of a cross-country ski race, but also with the gravity-defying, jaw-dropping sensation of flying.
—Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The games, which find Mario defying gravity in an effort to save Princess Peach from Bowser, have been lauded by gamers as some of the best titles in the sprawling Super Mario canon.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
Yeah, this is a very common methodology for those that are spreading lies about the elections, defying, just throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
More than a dozen anti-immigration enforcement agitators were arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside Columbia University in New York after allegedly defying orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
From gravity-defying figure skaters to adrenaline-chasing snowboarders, athletes from over 90 countries will convene in the snowy mountains of Italy—as well as the country’s historic cities—to compete in 16 of the riskiest and most beautiful sports held on the ice and snow.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
Besides defying the subpoenas to testify before the House committee, neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing and both deny having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
Repeatedly, the project seems to transcend the projects, defying gravity in its poetic depiction of how this resilient, supportive community comes together around Lil Ant, stepping in where his father stumbles to embrace the boy.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
-
The country's Supreme Court of Justice removed him from office in 2017 and sentenced him to prison for disobeying a court order to remove barricades during protests against the government of then-President Nicolás Maduro.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The driver, identified as 50-year-old Dawn Dubois, was arrested and charged with operating under the Influence, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to drive in proper lane, according to state police.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The bikini, from her line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, featured daring gold chain details at the center of the chest and on the sides of the hips.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Journalists and academics might think twice about confronting power.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
-
At times, it’s been challenging, confronting even (for all of us).—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pearce later crashed his vehicle and was accused of resisting arrest.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Franco and Proni kept the circulation intuitive, resisting any intervention that might interrupt the architecture’s original flow.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some readers refuse to join one, stubbornly persisting in flipping to one section and ignoring the rest.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hustle culture praised women for ignoring their instincts in the name of productivity.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leading through challenging moments requires steadiness, clear priorities, and transparency.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Your 3rd House of Transmissions carries mischievous Mercury, bouncing off of reactive Uranus in your 6th House of Everyday Effort, challenging your rhythm with a last-minute task.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The home team’s test not only was facing a 76ers team on a five-game win streak, but also finding the energy to keep pace.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But most Jews have little trouble simultaneously affirming care and concern for Israel and Israelis and opposing Israeli policies, including the extended war in Gaza, the occupation of territories captured in 1967, and the expansion of settlements.—
Rabbi Jill Jacobs,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump then predicted that Mills’ political career would be over for opposing the order.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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