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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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
Democrats amp up infighting and 'unhinged petulance' as approval rating plummets
Trump is openly defying court orders.
—
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Ramirez does defy gravity but, as the song says, gravity always wins.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
However, if the Brewers once again defy expectations and find themselves among the best in the National League while the Blue Jays' season slips away from them, the Brewers may be willing to pay for a half-season of Guerrero.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The name symbolizes Sylvester’s career, constructed without a blueprint, defying traditional paths to success in BMX.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Ramirez does defy gravity but, as the song says, gravity always wins.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
However, if the Brewers once again defy expectations and find themselves among the best in the National League while the Blue Jays' season slips away from them, the Brewers may be willing to pay for a half-season of Guerrero.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The name symbolizes Sylvester’s career, constructed without a blueprint, defying traditional paths to success in BMX.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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There is no law against creating an environment where children are made to believe that disobeying their pastor’s wishes will cause horrible prophecies to come true.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
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There is evidence and documentation of all kinds of findings that feel like the stuff of sci-fi: vehicles that appear to disobey the laws of physics, difficult-to-explain interference with American military activity and, indeed, the bodies of intelligent, nonhuman beings.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Shock people with honesty that no one else would dare share.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Despite the feeble denials from the rare Republicans who dare face town hall meetings now, their budget outline also necessitates steep cuts in Medicaid, a safety net for 72 million Americans.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Shortly before his death, A.B. confronted Lilly in his office and threatened to expose her for misappropriating funds, illegally securing contracts, trading favors with different vendors and sneaking individuals into the White House.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
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We are increasingly confronted with insurmountable global challenges, conflicts that defy easy solutions, and systemic injustices woven into society's fabric.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This was done by using the slender bridges to form triangles, a rigid shape found in engineering and architecture to resist bending and warping.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Despite causing great pain, Black couldn't resist naming the spine stuck in her foot BARBara.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Yet there’s no ignoring the fact that the Rockies would’ve loved to have Brito penciled in as their second baseman this year.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Many such studies ignore, rather than seriously examine, biological realities.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday Judge Jesse Furman ruled that the case should be heard in New Jersey, where Khalil's petition challenging the government was filed.—
Jennifer Earl,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2025
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If necessary, they are told to challenge those orders through their chain of command, or through attorneys associated with their units, or by contacting their branch’s inspector general.—
Samuel C. Mahaney,
The Conversation,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Salvadoran-Croatian pair have a 17-5 record this season and will face sixth seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool of Great Britain in the championship match.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2025
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Then-Senator Marco Rubio, for instance, was banned in 2020 for criticizing China’s policies toward Uyghurs; journalists face visa rules that are different from tourists.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In special House elections during Trump era, fortune rarely favors opposing party In: Adam Schiff Politics Washington D.C.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2025
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Evers, notably, also opposed the change in standards, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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