1
as in disobeyed
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
3
as in confronted
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 resisted
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
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Recent Examples of defied
Carney defied them both to try.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Contrast this with figures such as Republican Liz Cheney, who defied her party to uphold her principles.
—Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
On Saturday, a new tour at Santa Ana’s Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary will honor local women who defied the odds.
—Allyson Vergara, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
The Tony-winning actor and singer led an all-star celebration of the beloved 1972 musical, which was penned by Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz long before Elphaba defied gravity.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
America's economy has defied naysayers, but there is no guarantee that continues.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
Since stepping up as the leader in 1991, Shawn defied a then-shrinking industry with passion and innovation, driving annual revenue from $2 million per year to a peak of $123 million.
—Malana Van Tyler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
On Monday, a federal judge in Rhode Island found the White House had defied an earlier court order to unfreeze federal grant and program funds.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
Two weeks ago, Republican leaders, who have long bristled at DeSantis’ heavy-handed approach, defied his request for a special session to address immigration.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Contrast this with figures such as Republican Liz Cheney, who defied her party to uphold her principles.
—Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
On Saturday, a new tour at Santa Ana’s Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary will honor local women who defied the odds.
—Allyson Vergara, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
The Tony-winning actor and singer led an all-star celebration of the beloved 1972 musical, which was penned by Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz long before Elphaba defied gravity.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
America's economy has defied naysayers, but there is no guarantee that continues.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
Since stepping up as the leader in 1991, Shawn defied a then-shrinking industry with passion and innovation, driving annual revenue from $2 million per year to a peak of $123 million.
—Malana Van Tyler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
On Monday, a federal judge in Rhode Island found the White House had defied an earlier court order to unfreeze federal grant and program funds.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
Two weeks ago, Republican leaders, who have long bristled at DeSantis’ heavy-handed approach, defied his request for a special session to address immigration.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defied
Verb
-
Some have even dared to question whether Connor Bedard is the answer to the Hawks’ future.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Or the enduring image of the left fielder swooping two rows into the stands in Chicago for a catch, and the poetry of him throwing out 102 runners who shouldn’t have dared him.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
When confronted with the allegations, Lopez-Robles declined a police interview, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
The Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The sergeant confronted and then chased the suspect on foot.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The college resisted and went to court, reaching the Supreme Court, which ruled that Dartmouth’s charter was a contract that protected the institution from the state.—
Johann Neem / Made by History,
TIME,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The leaders of those countries often resisted these efforts, stating that their new governments were too fragile to tolerate the proliferation of private groups that criticized their government’s policies.—
Johann Neem / Made by History,
TIME,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
His dominance is creating an air of intimidation that shouldn’t go ignored.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Black electorate feeling ‘neglected and ignored’ Tensions within the party in Florida could be seen as early as April when President Joe Biden came to Tampa for an event.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Smith unsuccessfully challenged Simpson for his congressional seat in the Republican primaries in 2014 and again in 2022.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Mar. 2025
-
There is the love of Irish and Mexican dance traditions, love challenged by evil sorcerers and family dynamics and the passionate love that ends in tragedy.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Jones faced Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight belt at UFC 285 in March 2023.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Tesla shares have dropped 37 percent so far in 2025 as Musk has faced criticism and protests for some of his political remarks and actions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Today, social media is awash with parents opposed to the idea.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Those results are similar to those from a July 2009 poll from Quinnipiac University, which found 71% of Connecticut voters favored — and 27% opposed — a state income tax hike for couples making at least $500,000.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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