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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
The Legend of Ochi Clearly inspired by kid-centric ’80s adventure films like E.T., The Legend of Ochi tries to reach those heights as a young girl defies her father (Willem Dafoe) and teams up with a baby Ochi (a cutesy primate-looking creature) to return it to its homeland.
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Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
And a clear majority of Americans — including two-thirds of Republicans and 90% of Democrats — said that the Trump administration has to follow the rulings of federal courts, amid questions over whether the White House is defying judges’ orders.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Of his 47 arduous Apostolic Journeys, the one to Iraq in 2021, defying every risk, will remain particularly memorable.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
Are those immigrant rights advocates morally justified encouraging and enabling migrants to remain here, defying enforcement of federal laws?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
And a clear majority of Americans — including two-thirds of Republicans and 90% of Democrats — said that the Trump administration has to follow the rulings of federal courts, amid questions over whether the White House is defying judges’ orders.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Of his 47 arduous Apostolic Journeys, the one to Iraq in 2021, defying every risk, will remain particularly memorable.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
Are those immigrant rights advocates morally justified encouraging and enabling migrants to remain here, defying enforcement of federal laws?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Boasberg earlier this week found probable cause that the Trump administration committed criminal contempt by disobeying his ruling, only to see the Supreme Court rule that only judges where migrants are being held have jurisdiction to halt their removal.—
Jasmine Garsd,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2025
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The timing of Lopez Gomez’s arrest, first reported by the Florida Phoenix, raises questions about whether the court order was disobeyed.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The dual goal of these orders was clear: to punish law firms that had dared to cross Trump and to intimidate others that might stand up to him.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2025
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While many bridal offerings can feel traditional or conservative, Vera’s boasts daring hemlines, modern silhouettes (her fall 2020 bridal collection saw a number of high low gowns, for example), and even the occasional splash of color.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Such pay-for-performance arrangements are just one of many efforts by industry players and state officials to confront the problems plaguing primary care.—
Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Princeton students confronted by anti-Israel protesters at campus event Princeton senior Danielle Shapiro joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss how anti-Israel protesters disrupted a campus lecture by a former Israeli prime minister, shouting anti-Semitic chants and targeting students.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The blades are crafted from alloy steel that maintains its sharpness over time and resists rust.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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On Tuesday, Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida received a letter from Chinese No. 2 Premier Li Qiang, urging him to join Beijing in resisting protectionism.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For employers across all sectors, the consequences of ignoring employee financial wellness are significant.—
Kevin Cohee,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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There was no reason to ignore it or think a switch would get flipped.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The playful, hands-on approach turned the tasting into an interactive game, allowing guests to challenge their spice tolerance against Buldak’s infamous heat.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Trump administration is likely to challenge all three rulings.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Consequently, human workers are facing layoffs, replaced by AI.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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During the 1960s and 1970s, groundwater was pumped from the industrial area of Marghera, on the mainland facing into the lagoon.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Verb
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His remarks are at odds with the state's GOP, as California Senate oppose the bill, arguing that the legislation prioritizes political agendas over the safety and security of California residents.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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But Reuters reports that some conflict groups, like the Center for Biological Diversity, immediately weighed in to oppose Wednesday’s announcement.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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