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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Trump defied the odds to win a criminal justice victory in his first term.
—
Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
Still, the defensive drop-off over the first two-plus months of the season defied explanation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In a thrilling Game 7 win over the juggernaut 73-win Warriors, James defied everything to bring home the prize.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Citing dissatisfaction over the Left’s stance on war, immigration, gender ideology, and more, several prominent Democrats made waves for defying their party about President-elect Donald Trump during a political cycle like none other.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy 
Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
Still, the defensive drop-off over the first two-plus months of the season defied explanation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In a thrilling Game 7 win over the juggernaut 73-win Warriors, James defied everything to bring home the prize.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Citing dissatisfaction over the Left’s stance on war, immigration, gender ideology, and more, several prominent Democrats made waves for defying their party about President-elect Donald Trump during a political cycle like none other.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Philippine police have filed criminal complaints against Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders in an altercation in Congress over the brief detention of her chief of staff, who was accused of hampering the congressional inquiry.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Dec. 2024
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Also not computing: Where the hell does Ben get off disobeying Chief Altman’s orders?—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Building a business is not for the faint of heart, and many of those who dare to take the chance share one trait: self-confidence.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
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Will anybody around him dare to privately contradict him on some of his dumbest ideas, such as not ruling out using military force to take the Panama Canal?—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Meeting these expectations requires leaders to first confront their own assumptions about work, wellness, and performance.—
Tarun Galagali,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The irony is striking—the man who built his political brand on confronting China now fights to resurrect one of its most effective tools for gathering American data.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This Mount Royal Avenue cultural institution resists change (its historic interior was last updated in 1982) and yet bends successfully.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
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Complete with two carry-ons and two checkable bags, each suitcase is outfitted in 100 percent ABS, hardwearing material that resists scratches and dents.—
Alyssa Brascia,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Johansson shared that Rose recently ignored a boy who had a crush on her, leaving him feeling hurt.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
24 Jan. 2025
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Except a funny thing happened when the Chiefs dialed up the call in overtime: The 49ers basically ignored Hardman.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The order directs the Bureau of Prisons to halt the use of federal dollars for gender-affirming care, something several incarcerated trans people have successfully challenged in court.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Our outside hires have been integral in building a mindset that challenges conventional approaches, applies fresh thinking, and strives for growth and innovation beyond industry norms.—
Darpan Munjal,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But its road to the screen faced immediate challenges.—
Shirley Halperin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Jan. 2025
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Benoit Tessier | Reuters As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces two days of Senate confirmation hearings this week in his quest to become secretary of Health and Human Services, a niche group of startups will be watching closely.—
Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The city is opposed to the construction of the West Austin Business Park, saying it was not authorized by the city and goes against the development plan the city and the landowner, Wheelock Communities, had agreed to in 2015.—
Rachel Royster,
Austin American-Statesman,
19 Jan. 2025
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His ability to shut down opposing wide receivers was a major reason why the Eagles had one of the most formidable defenses in the league.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defy
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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