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
Relevance
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
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 defy
Biles continues to defy limits and redefine greatness.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 17 July 2025
The July 21 sentence defied a last-minute request from federal prosecutors that Brett Hankison receive only a one-day sentence.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
The TikTok episode suggests that when political pressure mounts, even the most sophisticated corporations can make decisions that defy basic business logic.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Can the Thunder defy the odds and maintain that core?
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Okla Jones, Essence, 17 July 2025
The July 21 sentence defied a last-minute request from federal prosecutors that Brett Hankison receive only a one-day sentence.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
The TikTok episode suggests that when political pressure mounts, even the most sophisticated corporations can make decisions that defy basic business logic.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Can the Thunder defy the odds and maintain that core?
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
-
Boasberg would later determine there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for willfully disobeying his order to immediately halt deportations, but the proceedings were later blocked by an appeals court.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
10 July 2025
-
The story references a recurring problem of drivers disobeying stop signs.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
While most of the Midwest region (and the United States in general) was grappling with industrialization and the evolving social dynamics of the Reconstruction Era, in 1870, a young Louis Greater dared to do something that many would call revolutionary and bold.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Mearsheimer was gleefully blackballed by academics and commentators for daring to suggest that America had goaded Putin and been drawn into a costly war that harmed our interests.—
Samuel Moyn,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
On the day she was murdered, Akter was pushing her son in a stroller with a friend when Masum confronted her.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
22 July 2025
-
As Hailey follows the trail across borders and through layers of deception, he’s forced to confront both his personal demons and the bureaucratic system he’s sworn to uphold.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Trump had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the war.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
While other European markets have struggled with EV sales or considered rolling back clean transport policies, the UK has resisted industry calls for rollbacks and its committed to its long range policies.—
Margo T. Oge,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Similarly, while some food stamp provisions remain, the narrative ignores the potential for reduced access for others, including children and pregnant women, under changes to eligibility.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 July 2025
-
Having said that, beachgoers have already been ignoring signs and fencing to get to the beach, especially on weekends.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Co-showrunner Elle Smith credited Bana’s passion for the outdoors with helping the cast and crew push through the challenging shoot.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
19 July 2025
-
The four 18- to 20-year-olds challenging the age restriction have appealed that decision to the Supreme Court.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
Allianz’s Global Boiling report warns that heatwaves alone could subtract 0.5 percentage points from Europe’s GDP in 2025, with Spain facing losses as high as 1.4%.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Intel has faced manufacturing delays, quality-control issues, marketing errors, expensive acquisitions that didn’t work out, executive management turnover and more in a highly competitive industry.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
This is apt when considering the impacts of the Trump administration’s policy agenda, which has generated various opposing forces on economic growth this year.—
Jeffrey Schulze,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Washington County Treasurer and task force Chair Scott Henke said three of the five task force members opposed Accel's plan.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share