defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

dē-

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

jailed for defiance of a court order

2

: disposition to resist : willingness to contend or fight

dealing with a child's defiance

Phrases

in defiance of

: contrary to : despite

seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics

He returned to the pulpit May 22 in defiance of an order by church leaders banning him from television preaching for one year.

—Daniel E. Kubiske

Synonyms

• balkiness
• contrariness
• contumacy
• disobedience
• frowardness
• insubordination
• intractability
• obstreperousness
• rebellion
• rebelliousness
• recalcitrance
• refractoriness
• unruliness
• waywardness
• willfulness

Examples of defiance in a Sentence

any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences

the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort

Recent Examples on the Web

This subtle yet revolutionary approach reflects the film’s core message: change begins with the smallest of actions, and these quiet acts of defiance can ripple outward to create a more liberated future. —Taarini Kaur Dang, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

One of the most glaring moments of defiance came in January 2022, when both maverick senators voted against a Democratic proposal to carve out the Senate’s filibuster rule to pass voting rights legislation. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024

While the concert faces judiciary investigation, some social media users have described the performance as a bold act of defiance against the restrictions the Islamic Republic imposes on women in Iran. —Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024

In defiance of the impending war, the Kovalenko family have decided to take their vacation anyway. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffiaunce, defyaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French defiance, difiaunce, from defier, desfier "to renounce, challenge, defy entry 1" + -ance, -aunce -ance

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

2

: a tendency to resist : contempt of opposition