1
as in disobeying
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
as in daring
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat
after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in confronting
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 resisting
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 defying
It has been formulated with patented ‘Sunflower Sprout Extract Technology’ that is clinically proven to boost skin’s age-defying cellular energy.
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Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Apart from skincare, the brand has also developed a compact collection of color cosmetics infused with age-defying core ingredients found in the iconic First Activating Serum VI.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Paul Mescal is defying gravity!
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
How does such a genre-defying film like Jacques Audiard’s transgender Mexican cartel musical Emilia Pérez come into being?
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
The United States is set to host Taiwan President Lai Ching-te during stopovers in Hawaii and Guam as part of the first international trip of his tenure, defying protests from China.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
On this evidence, Cher is prepared — happy, even — to be candid about her gravity-defying life and appearance.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Worried about defying movie theater rules when trying to grab a seat to watch Elphaba defy gravity?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Wicked viewers have ignited debate by taking photos during movie screenings, leading some film fans to feel that such actions are defying decorum.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024
Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Apart from skincare, the brand has also developed a compact collection of color cosmetics infused with age-defying core ingredients found in the iconic First Activating Serum VI.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Paul Mescal is defying gravity!
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
How does such a genre-defying film like Jacques Audiard’s transgender Mexican cartel musical Emilia Pérez come into being?
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
The United States is set to host Taiwan President Lai Ching-te during stopovers in Hawaii and Guam as part of the first international trip of his tenure, defying protests from China.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
On this evidence, Cher is prepared — happy, even — to be candid about her gravity-defying life and appearance.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Worried about defying movie theater rules when trying to grab a seat to watch Elphaba defy gravity?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Wicked viewers have ignited debate by taking photos during movie screenings, leading some film fans to feel that such actions are defying decorum.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defying
Verb
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Here, souls gamble years of their lives with her, daring to outwit Death herself.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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Beauty mavens Cassandra Grey of Violet Grey and Tina Craig of U Beauty compared notes on their similarly hued lace dresses, while Tina Leung’s daring catsuit, decorated in a large bow like a holiday present, caused much fanfare too.Freya Drohan, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Some people are confronting the painful reality of lost homes.Hanna Park, Robert Shackelford and Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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With her latest book, however, one challenge was confronting such a personal topic.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This reminds us of the importance of resisting conformity in our own careers.William Arruda, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Leigh’s movies have often evidenced a socialist tendency while resisting typical political bias — except for the unfortunate mixed-bag Peterloo.Armond White, National Review, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Kroger breached the merger agreement by refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring feedback from regulators, rejecting divesture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons, the company claims.Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Instead of pushing down and ignoring, actively look at everything in your life — good and bad.Corrin Gani, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Was there anything particularly challenging about that?Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
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Gracefully opting out Navigating the discomfort of setting boundaries around gift-giving traditions can be challenging.Julianna Bragg, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Coverage topics may include gender equity and issues facing female leaders.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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California’s electric vehicle ambitions are facing a reality check.Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The bespoke drinks menu was inspired by the concept of yin and yang—with eight choices named after opposing forces like the sun/moon, heaven/earth, mountain/river, and dark side/bright side.Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
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However, with Mars retrograde opposing Venus, your romantic and friendship dynamics are being put to the test.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near defying
Cite this Entry
“Defying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defying. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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