defy

verb

di-ˈfī How to pronounce defy (audio)
Definition of defynext
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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2
as in to dare
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

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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

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 defy In ways that are hard to conceive of now, early-nineteenth-century politicians simply defied the Court. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Bill Belichick and North Carolina opened their 2026 season with an upset of TCU, defying a 9 1/2-point spread and a preseason of low expectations to win 15-10 on Saturday in Ireland. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 In recent months, Israeli settlers have repeatedly besieged the village of Qusra, defying orders from the authorities to leave the area and trying to force Palestinian families, some of whom are also American citizens, out. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Both projects defy downtown zoning rules that encourage high-density developments while baring drive-thrus. — Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
  1. disobey
  2. dare
  3. confront
  4. resist
  5. ignore
  6. challenge
  7. face
  8. oppose
Verb
  • The violations are disobeying orders and conduct unbecoming an officer.
    — Charlie D'Agata, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of disobey
Verb
  • Sick and frail Despite Western appeals, the reformists ruling Serbia after Milosevic's fall did not dare move against a man who was a hero to a core of nationalist Serbs.
    — Ivana Sekularac, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons told Gossard and Ament about a guy living in San Diego named Eddie Vedder, who had recently made an impression on Irons and his friends, Flea among them, with his daring antics on a camping trip.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of dare
Verb
  • Having to go along with everyone may aggravate you while the Aries moon confronts Mars.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • During the course of the play, one of the men is confronted by a former student.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confront
Verb
  • He was arrested and will be booked on felony evading, hit-and-run and felony resisting arrest, police said.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The fungus can spread between patients and resist some antifungal treatments.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • The stock that spent two years being ignored by the same investors who loaded up on Hilton and Marriott is now having its moment.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Alicia McCalla, 56, a fiction writer who has been doing voice work for five years out of her home in Atlanta, decided to ignore union suggestions and clone her voice.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Porter has staked his claim as the starter opposite Stokes, though rookies McCoy and Masses should continue to challenge him for that role throughout the season.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenge
Verb
  • Routliffe and Glasspool will face wild-card pair Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams, while Errani and Vavassori will take on Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • GLP-1s aren’t covered Patients like La Marca are left in a tough spot, qualifying for Part D coverage of a GLP-1 but facing much higher cost sharing.
    — Jackie Fortiér, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of face
Verb
  • The union has opposed such a window on the belief players would feel forced into subpar contracts.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • With Gaines expected to command significant attention from opposing defenses, FIU will need other playmakers to step up.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppose

Browse Nearby Words

defunds
defy
defying
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Cite this Entry

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

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