as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
Giuliani has remained defiant and vehemently opposed the legal efforts against him in the years since the election, continuing to repeat the false fraud claims and deny any wrongdoing.
—
Alison Durkee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
His defiant leadership was crucial in the Allied victory.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
Bulbs are defiant harbingers of spring in colder climes, sometimes pushing up through the snow in their zeal to greet the sun and spread a little color on a bleak landscape of slushy grays.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Even physically, Williams shares an ape’s frank gaze and defiant chin.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defiant 
Alison Durkee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
His defiant leadership was crucial in the Allied victory.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
Bulbs are defiant harbingers of spring in colder climes, sometimes pushing up through the snow in their zeal to greet the sun and spread a little color on a bleak landscape of slushy grays.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Even physically, Williams shares an ape’s frank gaze and defiant chin.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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With a rebellious edge, the cocktail is yet another offering in the non-to-low alcohol space from an established brand that is changing how consumers look at a rapidly expanding space.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, adds a sense of responsibility while rebellious Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, inspires this Air sign to think outside the box and embrace individual freedom.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The brand thrives on a rebel heart, embracing individuality, audacity, and the freedom to exist beyond conventional boundaries.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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Lower shows how the same drive that manifests as ruthlessness in outie Helena becomes rebel fierceness in innie Helly.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
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The bigger question is what happens if the economy, and in particular the labor market, weakens while inflation remains stubborn.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defiant
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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