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
For many women, something as simple as buying a bikini becomes an act of defiance.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
When his latest work is once again denied permission by the Ministry of Culture, the censorship pushes him to the edge of defiance.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 July 2025
But that act of defiance was met with a fierce response, according to Mora.
—Osmary Hernandez, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
When he’s arrested and taken away in the back of a Humvee, Hoult doesn’t look at anyone or anything — not in defiance, not even in abject misery.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
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Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
When his latest work is once again denied permission by the Ministry of Culture, the censorship pushes him to the edge of defiance.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 July 2025
But that act of defiance was met with a fierce response, according to Mora.
—Osmary Hernandez, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
When he’s arrested and taken away in the back of a Humvee, Hoult doesn’t look at anyone or anything — not in defiance, not even in abject misery.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 July 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 Jul. 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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