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
At the same time, Ani’s defiant refusal to warm to her assailant feeds into another rom-com formula: the love story that flowers out of an adversarial relationship.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
-
On Wednesday, March 12, The Kardashians star was joined by her mother Kris Jenner for the latest episode of her Khloé in Wonderland podcast, where the two looked back at some of Khloé's rebellious childhood moments.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Mickey, tasked with keeping her rebellious sister in line, never had the opportunity to be a kid.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The attacks started this week after reports emerged that Assad loyalists had ambushed and killed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – the rebel group that spearheaded the rebellion that ousted the former Syrian leader.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The singer and the songwriter traversed the frontlines of the urban guerrilla war that had consumed the city of Homs by that point, with one half of the city overtaken by regime soldiers and the other half controlled by rebel groups.—
Jawad Rizkallah,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But four months after becoming the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, Trump faces a new reality of needing to tackle some of the most stubborn challenges awaiting any new president and deliver on his campaign promises to lower prices.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Like this Fire sign, Drizella is unapologetically stubborn and impatience, believing she is entitled to nothing but the best.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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