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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These maps, based on research into earthquake sources such as faults and how seismic waves move through the earth’s crust, are used to determine the forces that structures in each community should be designed to resist.—
Jonathan P. Stewart,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While Trump might be tempted therefore to simply ignore those critics, the Yemen crisis is a golden opportunity for his administration to advance and strengthen an important ...—
Julian Ku,
National Review,
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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The ruling, which could be challenged on appeal, comes in a lawsuit filed by labor unions, retirees and the advocacy group Democracy Forward.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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Still, series creatives say the sequel was nearly bested by its funding issues, a story that reflects how high-end British dramas produced outside the streaming ecosystem are increasingly challenged.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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Amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, some longtime US residents like Taylor who have visas, work permits or green cards face possible deportation.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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California voters opposed similar school voucher plans in 1993 and 2000, with both initiatives receiving about 30 percent support.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Mar. 2025
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For decades, the organization vigorously opposed sports gambling.—
Made by History,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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