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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to confront
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 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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defy
However, many Democrat-run states have openly defied Trump's order, prompting both internal and federal backlash.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Several mentioned their favorite species found in nature — from plants and trees to several species of fish including the iconic clownfish — that defy the gender binary.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
The same holds when a human invention appears to defy general sensibilities.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Don’t Spend On Ads These side hustlers defy conventional marketing wisdom.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Several mentioned their favorite species found in nature — from plants and trees to several species of fish including the iconic clownfish — that defy the gender binary.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
The same holds when a human invention appears to defy general sensibilities.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Don’t Spend On Ads These side hustlers defy conventional marketing wisdom.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, rebuked Apple for thwarting a previous ruling in the lawsuit and said the company needed to be stopped from further disobeying the court.—
Tripp Mickle,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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She was taken to Troop A in Southbury and charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, disobeying the signal of an officer, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension and operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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Richardson, known for her daring spirit and difficult-to-beat top-end speed, brings several valuable qualities to the table that will set the ATHLOS league up for success.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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More: Trump confronts South African leader with false claims of genocide in Oval Office ambush Mandela later tapped him to lead negotiations for the country's new democratic framework in 1991.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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You could also be confronted or challenged with a significant partnership that demands your full attention.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Following the ordeal, Jung couldn't resist reliving the experience and sharing it on social media.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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Henry’s story is a lesson in how resisting new technology through sheer willpower can be self-defeating.—
Greg Edwards,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
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The Wall Street Journal: Columbia University violated federal civil-rights law by ignoring the harassment of Jewish students by classmates, a government investigation found.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Verb
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All of those changes are being challenged in court.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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In creative domains, AI is generating art, music, and literature that challenges our assumptions about human uniqueness while simultaneously expanding the boundaries of aesthetic experience.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The Brooklyn rapper is also facing four other charges, namely unlawful possession of a weapon and aggravated assault.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
28 May 2025
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The music mogul, who is also facing a torrent of civil suits, has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The legislation, Senate Bill 8, passed on a largely party-line vote of 87 to 59, with 13 Democrats opposed and one Republican, Rep. Tom Delnicki of South Windsor, in favor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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In November, voters rejected the measure, with about 60 percent opposed and about 40 percent in support.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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