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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Still, the defensive drop-off over the first two-plus months of the season defied explanation.
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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
Yet, once again, Mr. Carter defied others’ expectations.
—Rick Rojas, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy 
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
Yet, once again, Mr. Carter defied others’ expectations.
—Rick Rojas, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Hutchison is nominally a private company in Hong Kong, but in the Communist Party's system, no entity in the People's Republic can ignore or disobey an order from the ruling organization.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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Rosenblatt said in a statement Monday that King would plead guilty to five of those charges, including desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a noncommissioned officer.Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But by finalizing the regulations now, the CFPB effectively dared the incoming Trump administration and its Republican allies in Congress to undo rules that are broadly popular and could help millions of people who are burdened by medical debt.Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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By the time anyone dared return — at great personal risk — the park’s permanent denizens hadn’t been fed in a week, and were further traumatized by ongoing bombardments.Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The supernatural encounter forces him to confront deeper truths about urban survival and morality.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Jan. 2025
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People forced to flee their cars on Sunset Boulevard; sparks whipped by 80-mph winds igniting entire streets; firefighters hastening evacuations and confronting literal walls of flame; the smoking shells of homes and businesses.Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 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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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
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The macOS users who ignore this warning do so at their own peril.Davey Winder, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And the new rules will almost certainly be challenged in court.Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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Still mostly known for Wallace & Gromit (and maybe now Shaun the Sheep), the stop-motion masters have made other films too, including this 2018 release about a tribe of Stone Age people facing off against the future really when bronze-using invaders challenge them to a game of football.Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Swiss company’s share price has faced a volatile ride over the past year amid a rejig of its top management and wider fluctuations in the luxury market.Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
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Bondi has also faced scrutiny for her previous lobbying work with Ballard Partners, including for clients such as Republic Services, Amazon and Uber, which have been in the crosshairs of the Justice Department.Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The other side: Democratic leadership opposed the bill but did not formally whip against it, according to a notice sent out by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark's (D-Mass.) office.Andrew Solender, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
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Those opposed to these ideas say that young people really didn't vote for Trump because of these innovations.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defy
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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