defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

dē-

: 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

• balky
• contrary
• contumacious
• disobedient
• froward
• incompliant
• insubordinate
• intractable
• obstreperous
• rebel
• rebellious
• recalcitrant
• recusant
• refractory
• restive
• ungovernable
• unruly
• untoward
• wayward
• willful
• wilful

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

Weakened, isolated but defiant: Hamas faces a crossroads with the cease-fire. —Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

But the political chaos provoked by the Dec. 3 martial law declaration is expected to continue, as Yoon and his ruling party supporters remain defiant against the insurrection charges. —Se Eun Gong, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025

Yoon has remained defiant in the face of the investigations and an impeachment trial underway by one of the country’s highest courts. —Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025

Since then, the success of McKenna’s coaching regime and the mood at Portman Road are encapsulated by the defiant message spelled out in capital letters on the back of Portman Road’s Sir Bobby Robson stand. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing defiant

• oppositional defiant disorder

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt 

: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent

defiantly adverb