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
With yet another refresh of the original Halo reportedly looming on the horizon, the franchise may never be as engrossing as Reach's tale of defying impossible odds again.
—
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The games, which task Mario with 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, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2025
And congrats to Gold House for defying categorization.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Investors, in the meantime, are hailing Pop Mart, the company behind the global success of Labubu, as an economic slowdown-defying wonder.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
From vengeful resurrections to satanic rituals, shoplifters waging war on capitalism to secret cults, shadow selves to harrowing births, these genre-defying films crown the Dolls as auteurs, protagonists, dreamers, and disruptors.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
MacDowell has long been vocal about defying societal beauty standards for older women and has, in fact, expressed her views on aging by simply embracing her gray hair, a look that has now become synonymous with her on and off the red carpet.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Somehow, Ramp is defying the odds.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
While people often assume that female athletes who are also mothers will have a split focus, Naomi Osaka is defying the odds and crediting her role as a mom to her success.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The games, which task Mario with 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, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2025
And congrats to Gold House for defying categorization.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Investors, in the meantime, are hailing Pop Mart, the company behind the global success of Labubu, as an economic slowdown-defying wonder.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
From vengeful resurrections to satanic rituals, shoplifters waging war on capitalism to secret cults, shadow selves to harrowing births, these genre-defying films crown the Dolls as auteurs, protagonists, dreamers, and disruptors.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
MacDowell has long been vocal about defying societal beauty standards for older women and has, in fact, expressed her views on aging by simply embracing her gray hair, a look that has now become synonymous with her on and off the red carpet.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Somehow, Ramp is defying the odds.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
While people often assume that female athletes who are also mothers will have a split focus, Naomi Osaka is defying the odds and crediting her role as a mom to her success.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
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Fischer faces charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, disobeying traffic control signals, failure to drive in the proper lane, disobeying the signal of an officer, failure to display plates and engaging police in a pursuit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The contrasts are part of what defines Sarah LaPonte and chef Nik Forsberg’s daring Nordic-ish restaurant, where anyone can find their niche.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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Built like a small oak-wood icebox, Wilson always looked more like a second baseman who loved planting his feet, hanging in there on a double play, and daring a charging base runner to take him out.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Faced with the challenges confronting today's health systems—limited budgets, aging populations, increasingly costly technologies—solutions often lean toward either purely technocratic fixes or financial cuts.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Mercury confronting Saturn says to find balance before burnout hits hard.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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She has been charged with child endangerment, resisting arrest, false identification to law enforcement and obstructing an officer among other charges, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
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This data undercuts the common fear that resisting an activist will lead to wholesale turnover of the board.—
Kai Liekefett,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Jeremiah has been ignoring Conrad’s texts, including a recent message wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An 11-member professional diving team operated under challenging conditions, including strong currents, low visibility, and the technical demands of deep diving.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
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Those elements were cited in filings challenging both the substance and the process used to produce the new standards.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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An office that helps members of Congress serve Social Security recipients is facing cuts by up to 94 percent.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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This season, opposing defenses have blitzed the Hawks nearly 50% of the time, resulting in four of Robertson’s five interceptions.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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