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
Beauty as chief financial officer at just 35, Mandy Fields knows a little something about defying limits.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
As Stagecoach embraces rock-centric acts like Counting Crows and Third Eye Blind, as well as genre-defying artists like BigXthaPlug, Roth reflected on how rock & roll has changed since his days in Van Halen.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
Dancer Jessica Rabanzo-Flores, dressed in a brown suit jacket and representing McCullers, approached the stage with a cane before joining company dancers who performed the gravity-defying balancing acts that reflect Malashock’s choreographic style.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
The storm cut a path directly through the northern Oklahoma city, defying the area’s usual pattern.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Kalshi has sought to align itself with regulators and large institutions, while Polymarket has stood out for defying regulatory and financial norms.
—Marc Perrier, Bloomberg, 22 Apr. 2026
Rely on our show-stopping, height-defying 18 layer cake that is equal parts yellow cake and chocolate icing.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Schomburg spent his life defying these prohibitions and erasures.
—Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
Many among the global left see Sánchez as a progressive hero for defying Trump, while in Spain, the American president has distracted from Sánchez’s domestic challenges.
—Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 19 Apr. 2026
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
As Stagecoach embraces rock-centric acts like Counting Crows and Third Eye Blind, as well as genre-defying artists like BigXthaPlug, Roth reflected on how rock & roll has changed since his days in Van Halen.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
Dancer Jessica Rabanzo-Flores, dressed in a brown suit jacket and representing McCullers, approached the stage with a cane before joining company dancers who performed the gravity-defying balancing acts that reflect Malashock’s choreographic style.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
The storm cut a path directly through the northern Oklahoma city, defying the area’s usual pattern.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Kalshi has sought to align itself with regulators and large institutions, while Polymarket has stood out for defying regulatory and financial norms.
—Marc Perrier, Bloomberg, 22 Apr. 2026
Rely on our show-stopping, height-defying 18 layer cake that is equal parts yellow cake and chocolate icing.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Schomburg spent his life defying these prohibitions and erasures.
—Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
Many among the global left see Sánchez as a progressive hero for defying Trump, while in Spain, the American president has distracted from Sánchez’s domestic challenges.
—Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
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Trump had to relent on a scheme to prosecute Fed Chair Jerome Powell for disobeying White House commands to cut interest rates.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Your brother had similar pressure put on him by the national team after disobeying instructions and speaking out.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Opposing pitchers are attacking the Giants’ hitters and daring them to make contact.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
Crocodile suspected of eating local man airlifted in daring mission to retrieve remains.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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On balance, confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions was necessary.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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With the 84th Golden Globes shaping up for next January, the awards show is confronting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) with new eligibility rules.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The man was later booked on suspicion of crimes that included corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, robbery, resisting arrest, and drug possession after he was found with methamphetamine.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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Finally, Teo says Ethereal’s success stems in part from sticking to early-stage startups and resisting the temptation to jump on bandwagons.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors accused the trust, which convinced a federal district judge to order a temporary pause in construction, of ignoring claims that the project is needed to bolster national security.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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But three days after withdrawing the lawsuit, Florida sued CMS for a third time, accusing the federal agency of ignoring the state’s public records request related to CMS’ approval of the KidCare expansion.—
Daniel Chang,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For some couples, this shift in dynamics can be challenging enough that partners cannot envision continuing the relationship.—
Patricia Neligan,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
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In India, local pastoralists are challenging the 13-gigawatt Ladakh solar and wind project.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Verb
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What are the top 3 issues facing schools and students in San Diego County?—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Japan’s construction industry is facing a productivity crisis, as soaring material costs and an aging workforce threaten the future of the nation’s $625 billion sector.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The two countries have backed opposing forces in Yemen and are competing economically.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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