as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
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Social pressure compounds the challenge to be defiant.
—
Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
While some images are tinged with anger, others are colored by joy, such as the photos of the defiant, lively 1959 Caribbean carnival in London organized by the journalist and activist Claudia Jones.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
Their bleeding champion — at the time a former and future president — raises a defiant fist.
—John Scott Lewinski, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
After being yelled at, children often feel defiant, defensive, and disconnected from their parent.
—Daryl Austin, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025
While some images are tinged with anger, others are colored by joy, such as the photos of the defiant, lively 1959 Caribbean carnival in London organized by the journalist and activist Claudia Jones.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
Their bleeding champion — at the time a former and future president — raises a defiant fist.
—John Scott Lewinski, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
After being yelled at, children often feel defiant, defensive, and disconnected from their parent.
—Daryl Austin, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Stefani’s style influences and stage presence have long catered to a rebellious punk-forward aesthetic.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
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Still retaining the playful, rebellious connotations of the first M.A.D. Editions, the new M.A.D. 2 has another spirit. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her character evolves throughout the series from a superficial adherent to the Capitol’s cruel system to a rebel sympathizer who comes to care deeply for Katniss and Peeta, representing the potential for change even among those benefiting from oppression. 10.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
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In January, the conflict sharply escalated, as Rwandan troops and their M23 rebel allies took control of Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo.—
Jason K. Stearns,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One daughter, loving but stubborn, leaves for Vilna to study nursing.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
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The true top is still stubborn, though: In 2023 women made up just over 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs, 9% of the FTSE CEOs, and 5.4% of CEOs of the S&P Global Broad Market Index.—
Kweilin Ellingrud,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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