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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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
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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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September’s fiesta is in gratitude to soldiers who resisted a siege on the town by French soldiers over the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, ensuring the region remained a Basque community.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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For starters, who can resist an easy, cheesy, potato casserole?—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
24 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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Khalil has separate court cases playing out in two states – the Louisiana case is focused on his deportation order and the New Jersey case is focused on his habeas petition challenging the legality of his detention.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate of 28%, the highest since 1901, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Need a break?—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers will face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in this NBA Playoff matchup on Monday at Ball Arena.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 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 28 Apr. 2025.
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