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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Escher's Relativity artwork features a room with staircases criss-crossing in a labyrinth-like way, with figures walking on them defying the laws of gravity.
—
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Of course, even the U.S. Constitution can be undermined if a president defies the Supreme Court.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
With the state suffering a $12 billion deficit and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco strongly calling for termination, the other Democratic candidates also need to defy the unions still pushing the project and come out sharply against it.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Of course, even the U.S. Constitution can be undermined if a president defies the Supreme Court.
—Daniel Treisman, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
With the state suffering a $12 billion deficit and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco strongly calling for termination, the other Democratic candidates also need to defy the unions still pushing the project and come out sharply against it.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, rebuked Apple for thwarting a previous ruling in the lawsuit and said the company needed to be stopped from further disobeying the court.—
Tripp Mickle,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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She was taken to Troop A in Southbury and charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, disobeying the signal of an officer, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension and operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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Richardson, known for her daring spirit and difficult-to-beat top-end speed, brings several valuable qualities to the table that will set the ATHLOS league up for success.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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If things feel overwhelming, consider this a green light to address the situation and confront what’s been lingering beneath the surface.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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Drawing from figures like James Baldwin and Richard Pryor, the artist confronts the failures of representation through works that are at once minimalist and deeply charged.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 June 2025
Verb
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If craving ice cream, resist the urge to judge yourself before, during, or after eating it, Shabazz says.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Djokovic, who usually plays on the far more cavernous Chatrier, stepped back from the baseline, smiled, resisted his tendency to troll and got busy with finishing the match.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Public health is too important to rely on speculation and too important to ignore when the data speaks for itself.—
Olga Bolden-Tiller,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Verb
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In creative domains, AI is generating art, music, and literature that challenges our assumptions about human uniqueness while simultaneously expanding the boundaries of aesthetic experience.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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All of those changes are being challenged in court.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The project was conceived because the Netherlands faces a housing shortage and is struggling to fulfill plans to build a million houses by 2030, which MAST says is largely due to a lack of buildable land.—
Adam Williams
May 28,
New Atlas,
28 May 2025
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If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The legislation, Senate Bill 8, passed on a largely party-line vote of 87 to 59, with 13 Democrats opposed and one Republican, Rep. Tom Delnicki of South Windsor, in favor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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During his campaign, Trump opposed US Steel being purchased by a foreign entity.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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