defy

1 of 2

verb

de·​fy di-ˈfī How to pronounce defy (audio)
dē-
defied; defying
Synonyms of defy

transitive verb

1
: to confront with assured power of resistance : disregard
defy public opinion
in trouble for defying a court order
2
: to resist attempts at : withstand
the paintings defy classification
a decision that defies all logic
3
: to challenge to do something considered impossible : dare
defied us to name a better movie
4
archaic : to challenge to combat

defy

2 of 2

noun

de·​fy di-ˈfī How to pronounce defy (audio) ˈdē-ˌfī How to pronounce defy (audio)
plural defies
: challenge, defiance
… observers took this to be a form of defy …—Jack Alexander

Synonyms of defy

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Verb

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Examples of defy in a Sentence

Verb She defied her parents and dropped out of school. The group has continued to defy all efforts to stop them.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Ozon is the next economic pressure point Russia’s economy has defied the skeptics. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 But there are patients who defy timelines and expectations – and keep on living. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs. — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 But just like around many parts of the country, opposition has been building in ways that defy typical partisan boundaries. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defy

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English defien "to renounce, disavow, scorn, challenge to fight," borrowed from Anglo-French defier, desfier, from de-, des- de- + fier "to pledge, trust in, rely on," going back to Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, re-formation of Latin fīdere "to trust (in), have confidence (in)" — more at faith entry 1

Note: The sense history was perhaps "to break faith with" > "to scorn" > "to challenge to a fight," though the latter meaning appears to be the earliest in Old French.

Noun

in part borrowed from Middle French deffy, noun derivative of defier "to challenge, defy entry 1," in part derivative of defy entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defy was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing defy

Rhymes for defy

See All Rhymes for defy

Browse Nearby Words

defusion
defy
defy analysis
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Cite this Entry

“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

defy

verb
de·​fy
di-ˈfī
defied; defying
1
: to challenge to do something considered impossible : dare
the magician defied the audience to explain the trick
2
: to refuse boldly to obey or to yield to : disregard
defy public opinion
3
: to resist attempts at : withstand, baffle
a scene that defies description
defier
-ˈfī(-ə)r
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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