defy

verb

di-ˈfī How to pronounce defy (audio)
Definition of defynext
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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2
as in to dare
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better

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3
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm

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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

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 The film, renowned for its gravity-defying action sequences and post-Matrix wire work, earned Best Picture and Best Director nominations for its soulful, nuanced characterizations and lush visuals. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 This defies any historical precedent, not to mention the basic economic logic of comparative advantage that most other countries follow. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 That didn't work out so well in the end as Crowley won, defying almost all expectations. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 Written in the form of a non-chronological diary, A Lullaby for Mariupol is a book that defies genre, neither a fictional account of real events nor an example of artistic journalism. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
  1. disobey
  2. dare
  3. confront
  4. resist
  5. ignore
  6. challenge
  7. face
  8. oppose
Verb
  • People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of disobey
Verb
  • The cover-up’s plunging design featured a keyhole belly button cutout and a daring open back that dipped down to her butt, showing off the top of her chartreuse green thong bikini bottoms.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • From a classic approach to daring mixes, polka dots can work with anyone’s personal style.
    — Ángela Belda, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of dare
Verb
  • Except that a teen-age boy’s experience is not the same as a teen-age girl’s, and that’s the truth that Nidhi has to confront.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • As students prepare for a new school year across the US, families are confronted with a fraught national discussion around vaccines and questions about which they’re required to get in order to attend school.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of confront
Verb
  • Compounding the crisis is the fact that airlines are actively resisting standardization in a bid to outdo each other.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, as a Christian, I am called to vote for doing justice, making peace, loving mercy, being humble, doing good and resisting evil and, most of all, loving my neighbor, whoever that is.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • The students needed enough solar power to move Stella Juva through challenging terrain while also supporting the medical equipment inside.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • If confirmed, these findings would challenge the standard picture of how one of nature’s basic conservation laws is stored inside matter.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenge
Verb
  • Fuller is nearly six months into the new position, created as Texas faces growing scrutiny over how school districts handle allegations involving teachers, coaches, and other school employees.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Geopolitical tensions are bringing critical dependencies and chokepoints into sharper focus, while Europe faces growing security threats on its doorstep.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of face
Verb
  • Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But that also will be two months after the Bucks play in Miami, when Giannis will be in opposing colors for the first time in his career.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppose

Browse Nearby Words

defunds
defy
defying
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Cite this Entry

“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of defy for Spanish Speakers

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