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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Abrego Garcia's case quickly became a flashpoint in that legal battle, with critics arguing his removal violated due process and defied judicial authority.
—
Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
That said, Underwood has continually defied expectations throughout her career.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Thousands again protested outside the Istanbul municipality building on Friday, defying a four-day ban on street gatherings in the city, waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans in protest over the decision.
—Ipek Yezdani, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
While relatively rare, the attacks defy easy categories.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
That said, Underwood has continually defied expectations throughout her career.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Thousands again protested outside the Istanbul municipality building on Friday, defying a four-day ban on street gatherings in the city, waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans in protest over the decision.
—Ipek Yezdani, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
While relatively rare, the attacks defy easy categories.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Meanwhile, Ben Warren is also trying to win back Teddy’s confidence after disobeying her orders during the heat wave.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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Pike faced a momentous decision: follow orders to retreat, or disobey them to rescue his crew.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Cybertruck is indeed a valiant effort in doing something new, and that’s not what most manufacturers dare to do.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Apr. 2025
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Stacy's husband Jim speculated that the bald eagle wanted to eat their dog — and probably would if Gnocchi dared to venture outside.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What the narrator has to get away from is the assortment of low-grade humiliations and condescending attitudes she is confronted with every day while clocked in at the restaurant.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
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The brothers, having both military and criminal experience (not to mention their Chicago armamentarium), confront white racists with startling boldness, openly threatening Hogwood.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Vrabel then asked players to resist pulling sweatshirt hoodies over their heads during meetings.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The most resilient enterprises of tomorrow will not be the ones that resist change—but those that learn, adapt, and lead through it—with data, decisiveness, and humanity.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Wallen briefly hugged the actress but seemed to ignore the rest of the cast and quickly walked past view of the camera.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The judge heard arguments in the case after a federal judge in Massachusetts transferred the 30-year-old's lawsuit challenging her detention to Vermont rather than dismiss it or send it to Louisiana as the U.S. Justice Department wanted.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which went on an historic two-and-a-half week strike in March after negotiations for a new contract broke down, had filed a petition with the Sixth District Court of Appeal on April 1, challenging the ruling of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Chandler is 2-4 with the UFC, but outside his 2022 matchup against a fading Tony Ferguson, the 38-year-old has only faced the elite of the division.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Social media personality Tate, who along with his brother Tristan faces rape, human trafficking and tax evasion charges in Romania, the U.K. and the U.S. (and even more allegations as recent as March this year), is a pioneer of the manosphere.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Based on pre- and post-debate data collected from the audience, Sey's stance on opposing trans athletes in women's sports appeared to be the winning argument.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Prosecutors opposed the motion, pointing to a lack of legal precedent.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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