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

That last one sold more than 20 million copies when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, further enhancing Parton’s image as an influential, genre-defying artist. — Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026

Khan’s lawyers and family have also accused the government of defying a court order that required him to be examined at the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

The group also compiled lists of social media accounts that have been blocked for defying public dress codes. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

That's obviously a significant amount of money, which helped lead to the reality-defying outrage. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

However, a recent 10-4 surge has surprisingly propelled them back into the Wild Card race, defying earlier expectations of a lost season. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Hamas and Hezbollah remain stubbornly in place, with the latter maintaining its lethality, even as Iraqi militias — defying Baghdad’s attempts at defanging them — have launched attacks on America’s Persian Gulf allies. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

In a statement on Monday, Paramount argued that the 12 states are defying a global consensus that the deal presents no issues of competitive harm and should be approved. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

The film, renowned for its gravity-defying action sequences and post-Matrix wire work, earned Best Picture and Best Director nominations for its soulful, nuanced characterizations and lush visuals. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026