defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of defiant
: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent
defiant rebels
a defiant refusal
Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.—Christopher Ketcham

Synonyms of defiant

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Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue. the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Aegon will have none of it and begins his rousing, defiant speech. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Earlier Monday, Justin Greaves top-scored with 73 and Chase made a defiant 70 as West Indies achieved a creditable total. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 While persistently defiant in the face of US threats, Iranian officials have acknowledged mounting economic and social problems after five months of conflict. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 Her music accordingly pares down the signature elements of a genre in which reckless abandon and defiant self-expression have long been central. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defiant

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defiant was in 1583

Phrases Containing defiant

Rhymes for defiant

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Browse Nearby Words

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defiant
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Cite this Entry

“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

defiant

adjective
de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent
defiantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on defiant

Nglish: Translation of defiant for Spanish Speakers

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