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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defying
That is a novel idea, almost defying human nature.
—
Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Judges have sometimes backed claims that administration officials are defying the law, and even defying direct court orders.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field were mostly normal Monday morning, defying long lines and worker shortages that have snarled passengers at other busy travel hubs as spring break comes to a close.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
American consumers and businesses have repeatedly shaken off shocks since the pandemic — soaring inflation, rising interest rates, tariffs — and continued to spend, defying concerns that the economy would tip into recession.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
The sci-fi adventure has started of its box office run with a gravity defying $12 million in previews, the best preview gross of the year to date when including both regular Thursday shows and fan screenings held earlier this week.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Flau’jae Johnson’s career stands out not only for her on-court accomplishments but for defying the transfer-heavy landscape of the modern NIL era in college sports.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The President has now fired two of the NTSB’s five board members before their terms were up, defying a law that Congress wisely intended to wall off the NTSB from political influence.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
On Kirk’s one-hopper, Witt made a full-extension, gravity-defying grab with one out and a runner on first, then threw from his knees and delivered a perfect one-hop throw to Bryce Harper at first base.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Judges have sometimes backed claims that administration officials are defying the law, and even defying direct court orders.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field were mostly normal Monday morning, defying long lines and worker shortages that have snarled passengers at other busy travel hubs as spring break comes to a close.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
American consumers and businesses have repeatedly shaken off shocks since the pandemic — soaring inflation, rising interest rates, tariffs — and continued to spend, defying concerns that the economy would tip into recession.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
The sci-fi adventure has started of its box office run with a gravity defying $12 million in previews, the best preview gross of the year to date when including both regular Thursday shows and fan screenings held earlier this week.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Flau’jae Johnson’s career stands out not only for her on-court accomplishments but for defying the transfer-heavy landscape of the modern NIL era in college sports.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The President has now fired two of the NTSB’s five board members before their terms were up, defying a law that Congress wisely intended to wall off the NTSB from political influence.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
On Kirk’s one-hopper, Witt made a full-extension, gravity-defying grab with one out and a runner on first, then threw from his knees and delivered a perfect one-hop throw to Bryce Harper at first base.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
-
South Windsor police have charged Rodriguez with evading responsibility, disobeying the signal of an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit and improper use of a marker, license or registration.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Michael Schade, who works in the department’s traffic division, said most e-bike accidents were caused by riders disobeying basic traffic rules, like running red lights and not stopping at stop signs.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The inscription would have sent enemies quite an impression as it was burned into the stone with molten lead, as if daring the attackers to continue their useless advance, Live Science continues.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The 2026 Oscars were full of ups and downs, of winners and losers, gorgeous gowns and daring fashions.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Educators have for years grappled with what to do about technology in schools, confronting a range of issues from cyberbullying to artificial intelligence as a homework-helper.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, Donovan’s courage in confronting the stigma of mental health in professional sports likely made the journey easier for those who followed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fry has been arrested more than two dozen times since 2003, on a range of offenses including assault, burglary, driving with an invalid license, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to court records.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Early Wednesday morning, FSU kicker Conor McAneney was arrested on felony charges for battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, according to jail records.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That is it for Elena, who marches out of the galley and up the Katina’s many levels, storming past wide-eyed stews and unsuspecting guests, ignoring the fact that service has basically already started, in order to reach Jason on the sundeck.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sable has been accused of repeatedly ignoring the directives of state and local officials, as well as committing criminal acts related to California environmental and coastal laws.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One of them was cleared for competition after approval last week, while the other — who has repeatedly identified herself as a cisgender woman — is challenging the World Boxing testing requirement in court.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Gorgeously shot, a tender portrait of community in northern Maine, finding metaphor in natural imagery while challenging preconceptions about gender and class.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2023, one in five births were to a mother who received inadequate prenatal care, according to the report, with Hispanic and Black mothers facing the highest inequities.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
For now, hundreds of families remain in limbo, facing a looming deadline and an uncertain future.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After that information became publicly known, the Romulus City Council approved a resolution opposing the plans.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Dear Coop Community, At a recent general meeting, a member was allowed to belittle and vilify fellow members who signed the petition opposing the Israeli government’s escalating mistreatment of the Palestinian people.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
