1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
The Education Department’s demand that K-12 districts and state officials certify their schools are free of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is being met with open defiance from blue states and open arms by red ones.
—
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
In the well of the U.S. Senate, Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, delivered a historic twenty-five-hour speech in defiance of Trump’s agenda, electrifying a party whose spirit had begun to ebb.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Arrested and forcibly removed, Colvin was full of righteous defiance.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
And yet, the core of the brand—the audacity, the punk defiance, the challenge to authority—remains intact.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
In the well of the U.S. Senate, Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, delivered a historic twenty-five-hour speech in defiance of Trump’s agenda, electrifying a party whose spirit had begun to ebb.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Arrested and forcibly removed, Colvin was full of righteous defiance.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
And yet, the core of the brand—the audacity, the punk defiance, the challenge to authority—remains intact.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
-
The profits, in turn, are used to fund the rebellion.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Tariffs meet South Korean domestic turmoil The tariff upheaval comes at an inopportune time as former President Yoon Suk Yeol stands in court to face charges of rebellion over his institution of martial law in December.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York reversed its opposition to the cause of action in 2004 and supported no fault.—
Patricia Fersch,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
No Republicans signaled opposition to Huckabee’s nomination, assuring his passage.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Americans lacked a sense of urgency about Nazi aggression.—
Tamar Jacoby,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Related article Ukraine’s European allies say Russian aggression is pushing peace out of reach, as US envoy meets Putin The new administration has opened multiple channels to Moscow, following three years of diplomatic isolation.—
Andrew Carey and Victoria Butenko,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The flooring and siding of the coop have treated resin designed for moisture resistance, and the roof allows rainwater to run-off away from your nesting boxes.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
-
That social presence can both ease emotional resistance and offer accountability.—
Judy Lagrou,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Provide 7 realistic objections or reasons for apathy that typical customers might have.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
There has never been an objection to describing this highly brutal, murderous conduct in words, nor did anyone object to this office when such crime scene images were recently shown on a Netflix documentary.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Datta writes that Indians had faced violent treatment at the hands of Japanese forces, even if the Chinese community bore the brunt of the Japanese hostility.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Maintain safety by allowing your teen to share sensitive information without judgement, punishment, disrespect, or harsh criticism.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
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From today’s extended look, director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have delivered something that’s akin to a Top Gun with lots of riveting, cut-the-corner race scenes that outstrip those of James Mangold’s Ford v. Ferrari (no disrespect) and bromance camaraderie.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Alleging disobedience, among other claimed doctrinal infractions, the OCA excommunicated the Homyks and longtime parish council leader Rivera.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
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Outright disobedience is exceedingly rare.—
Hurubie Meko,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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