defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

dē-

: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent

defiant rebels

a defiant refusal

Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.

—Christopher Ketcham

Synonyms

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn

Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue.

the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football

Recent Examples on the Web

On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025

Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters. —Susan Page, USA Today, 11 July 2025

Johnny Depp’s defiant message to Hollywood after domestic violence claims surfaced. —FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025

The video was accompanied by a defiant message that captured his trademark enthusiasm. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defiant

• oppositional defiant disorder

Rhymes for defiant

• compliant
• reliant
• suppliant
• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• noncompliant
• supergiant

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent

defiantly adverb