1
as in to disobey
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
3
as in to confront
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 to resist
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 defy
While the broader airline sector is weathering a storm of escalating costs and geopolitical fragmentation, Delta Air Lines (DAL) has managed to maintain an altitude that defies the market’s current gravitational pull.
—
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Leadership can often defy definition, but it is usually recognized.
—Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
The small group of champions who defy expectations are, by definition, resilient.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
The all-new Rivian R2, which was teased two years ago, may defy the current state of the industry, which has seen sales of EVs slump and automakers cancel upcoming models.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Leadership can often defy definition, but it is usually recognized.
—Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
The small group of champions who defy expectations are, by definition, resilient.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
The all-new Rivian R2, which was teased two years ago, may defy the current state of the industry, which has seen sales of EVs slump and automakers cancel upcoming models.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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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
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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
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And yet, there are several elements of the film that are — in their own quiet ways — daring in their retro simplicity that swim against the currents of tentpole moviemaking.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
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The president should act now and dare his opponents to stop him.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sheriff said the child's father later confronted Duggar about the incidents on March 17 and the reality TV alum admitted to his actions to law enforcement in Tontitown and local police arrested Duggar soon after.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
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Every two years, California voters are confronted with a wall of ballot measures ranging from nitty-gritty legal tweaks to sweeping changes to the state Constitution.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Against a backdrop of social and geopolitical change, amid profound transformation both in Georgia and across the South Caucasus, their stories reveal how the will to dream, to resist, and to love becomes its own quiet blaze.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Serious worm farmers will want to invest in some worm food to ensure their nightcrawlers get the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals to create a plump, tasty bait that no self-respecting fish can resist.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But all that seemed to go ignored by the presenter, attendees said.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
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But how can justice, let alone a meaningful reckoning, begin when the killings go on, swept under the rug by state officials and all but ignored by everyone else?—
Brendan King,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pittsburgh challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Courtesy Safa Sefidgari Last year, the couple joined a group lawsuit challenging the administration’s travel ban.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Republicans in California are facing opposition from Democrats in their effort to suspend that state's gas tax.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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On Saturday, Osasuna and Girona FC face one another in La Liga action.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Among those opposing his release was Janet Kovacich’s brother, Gary Gregoire, Tellman said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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