1
as in disobeyed
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in confronted
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 resisted
to refuse to give in to
a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defied
Trump signed an executive order to prohibit schools from allowing biological males to play in girls' sports in February, but the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has persistently defied it.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But Trump’s foreign policy has also defied the predictions of his critics.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
At a time when young shoe labels are struggling to make a mark, Jurgita Dileviciute and Denitsa Bumbarova have defied the odds.
—Katie Abel, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
In their inaugural season, the team defied expectations and clinched a playoff berth, energizing fans across California and beyond.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
While hopes were already high that the new, tough measures would clean the skies, the winter of 1940-41 defied even those rosy expectations.
—Robert Wyss, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
After Arpaio defied the order and refused to implement many of the reforms, Snow issued additional mandates in 2016.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Most reporters would have overlooked Mueller’s case, which defied the imperatives not only of the counterfeiting business but also of the newsmaking business.
—David Grann, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
At least four gents defied the small Cartier trend, though.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But Trump’s foreign policy has also defied the predictions of his critics.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
At a time when young shoe labels are struggling to make a mark, Jurgita Dileviciute and Denitsa Bumbarova have defied the odds.
—Katie Abel, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
In their inaugural season, the team defied expectations and clinched a playoff berth, energizing fans across California and beyond.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
While hopes were already high that the new, tough measures would clean the skies, the winter of 1940-41 defied even those rosy expectations.
—Robert Wyss, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
After Arpaio defied the order and refused to implement many of the reforms, Snow issued additional mandates in 2016.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Most reporters would have overlooked Mueller’s case, which defied the imperatives not only of the counterfeiting business but also of the newsmaking business.
—David Grann, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
At least four gents defied the small Cartier trend, though.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defied
Verb
-
Harvick said the agency gave lawful orders for the crowd to move back, which were disobeyed.—
Daniella Silva,
NBC news,
20 Oct. 2025
-
This was neither the first nor the last time that Patton disobeyed an order.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The actor infamously played Jeff, the hunky diner manager who dared to come between the show's endgame couple.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
One man, Lawrence Bergreen, dared to step into the breach and write about Columbus in the way only historians of substance can.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When confronted, the student reportedly denied it but refused to provide the staffer with his backpack, according to the complaint.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The school called my mom, who confronted the teacher.—
Erin Silvia,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In 10 other cases, according to the review, people resisted arrest, some fleeing on foot, while in one instance, an agent briefly clung to the side of a moving car.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a separate statement to Whittier Daily News, Rowley claimed that the city had ignored complaints about upraised sidewalks caused by tree roots for years, and stated the city had not implemented adequate inspection protocols.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Kim Kardashian's refusal to watch Fatal Attraction is not going to be ignored by Kris Jenner, thank you very much!—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives further challenged the business, Barra also said.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The Florida compact was quickly challenged by West Flagler Associates, a company that owns casinos and racetracks in Florida.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The president and his party have faced three corruption scandals this year, while Argentina’s slowing economy and frustration with high unemployment rates helped push Milei’s approval to the lowest level of his term ahead of the vote.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Waupun Correctional Institution has also faced a series of deaths among those incarcerated there in recent years and is now under investigation by federal officials over how drugs and contraband were smuggled inside.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But animal welfare experts raised several concerns to Public Investigator, including the size of the animal enclosures and the zoo’s breeding of a white tiger, which is opposed by conservation organizations like the World Wildlife Fund.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that jail clothing assists with safety and identification.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share