1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
While Joel’s display of defiance was reportedly due to his displeasure with a film crew lighting his audience, Wallen’s piano uprising seems to have stemmed from some good, old-fashioned technical difficulties.
—
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026
Declining shelter is often not an act of defiance—it is frequently tied to trauma, mental health challenges, or concerns about safety and conditions within shelters.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Advertisement But defiance has long defined Pearson.
—Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
Prosthetic limbs have become increasingly visible and powerful symbols of survival and defiance.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2026
Declining shelter is often not an act of defiance—it is frequently tied to trauma, mental health challenges, or concerns about safety and conditions within shelters.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Advertisement But defiance has long defined Pearson.
—Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
Prosthetic limbs have become increasingly visible and powerful symbols of survival and defiance.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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Shop the Marc Jacobs Beauty Collection Now Naturally, Jacobs also infused an undercurrent of rebellion.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
28 May 2026
-
Investor rebellion The announcement of Manifold’s departure from BP came as a surprise to many analysts and investors earlier in the week, with the company currently in the midst of a fundamental strategic reset.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Still, Venus’ opposition to Pluto could reveal underlying tensions in relationships, especially if control or power dynamics are involved.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Democratic opposition to an Iran war that the US is conducting alongside Israel isn’t the only new factor driving the party base’s hostility toward AIPAC.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Fudd started the second half with the Wings’ first bucket, her second 3-pointer of the game, and kept the aggression going, finishing the game with 9-of-15 shooting with three rebounds and two assists.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The 50-bed facility to be built in one of Kenya’s largest air force bases was expected to be operational by Friday, but has faced massive resistance from opposition leaders, health workers, and civil society.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
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Today’s players are reminded of the labor battles their predecessors went through, and the resistance to any sort of salary limit is just as unyielding.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Cole took advantage of the Rays’ aggressiveness, ramping up his off-speed usage the second time through the order.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
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While an immediate trade is unlikely, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has shown early aggressiveness before.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
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The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Boilermakers’ former general counsel testified Tuesday that the law firm representing the union for roughly half a century attended International Executive Council meetings held at luxury destinations — and raised no objections about the costs or attendance.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
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Sentence commutation Over the strenuous objection of fellow Democrats and many Republicans — including Peters’ prosecutor and a majority of Colorado’s election clerks — Polis commuted her sentence, clearing the way for Peters’ parole on June 1 after less than two years in prison.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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