defiance
noun
de·fi·ance
di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 
dē-
Phrases
in defiance of
: contrary to : despite
seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics
He returned to the pulpit May 22 in defiance of an order by church leaders banning him from television preaching for one year.—
Daniel E. Kubiske
Daniel E. KubiskeExamples of defiance in a Sentence
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Recent Examples on the Web
Here, in two very different settings, its mix of exultation, defiance and acknowledgment of the very real possibility of defeat could not be more apt.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The Barca team also participated — in defiance of their own club hierarchy — by pausing during the first 15 seconds of their match at home to Girona the previous day.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Copeland’s visibility became an act of defiance and inspiration.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
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Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The Barca team also participated — in defiance of their own club hierarchy — by pausing during the first 15 seconds of their match at home to Girona the previous day.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Copeland’s visibility became an act of defiance and inspiration.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiance. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defiance
noun
de·fi·ance
di-ˈfī-ən(t)s
1
: the act or an instance of defying : challenge
2
: a tendency to resist : contempt of opposition
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