1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
Back in 2017, Trump’s inauguration struggled to secure top-tier performers, with many artists declining as an act of defiance.
—
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
Trump might even inadvertently save the Canadian liberals, who are on the precipice of getting blown out of the water in the upcoming federal election, by rallying Canadians around the flag in defiance of their unruly downstairs neighbors.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
But over the last decade, the category has developed into a respectable safe haven for high-quality wines that exist in defiance of regional standards or regulations.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
But Ricken’s defiance over Sahin’s future had clearly softened.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defiance 
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
Trump might even inadvertently save the Canadian liberals, who are on the precipice of getting blown out of the water in the upcoming federal election, by rallying Canadians around the flag in defiance of their unruly downstairs neighbors.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
But over the last decade, the category has developed into a respectable safe haven for high-quality wines that exist in defiance of regional standards or regulations.
—Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
But Ricken’s defiance over Sahin’s future had clearly softened.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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Flowy gowns, and darker hues of usually vibrant shades are used possibly to convey the love, despair, rebellion, and individualism the designer mentioned in his show notes.—
Kerane Marcellus,
Essence,
13 Feb. 2025
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The first is Hotspur’s — poor, reckless lionheart, unlucky enough to be born on the wrong side of the rebellion.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Even ignoring the fact a huge proportion of opposition fans see City’s period of domination as as an aberration/abomination/scandal and all their trophies are null and void, City’s record in Europe is actually pretty woeful considering all the cash thrown at it and their domestic trophies.—
Sam Lee,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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The Constitutional Court recently ruled that several of Noboa's decisions were unconstitutional, fueling fears of electoral fraud—not from opposition candidates, but from within state institutions.—
Jesus Mesa,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The eight-member delegation consisting of U.S. national security and business leaders concluded their strategic visit to Taiwan last month amid the presidential transition in Washington, D.C., a new administration in Taipei and ongoing Chinese coercion and aggression in East Asia.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Russia's escalation of its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine threatens American interests and is solely the responsibility of Vladimir Putin.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Potential Drawbacks of Capping Credit Card Interest Rates The proposal has met resistance from financial institutions.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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The nearest resistance level is around $118, with another resistance zone at $123.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In January 2021, after took office, some Republican senators attempted to delay his Cabinet confirmations by slow-walking the process through procedural delays and objections rather than filibuster speeches.—
Ewan Palmer,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Now judges will be able to decide while also being able to consider objections from both the defense and the prosecutors.—
Alex Malm,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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International pressure is growing as the United Nations urged both sides to prevent a resurgence of hostilities.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Soon, hundreds of thousands of Gazans would enter Israel daily for work, and Gaza's economy became tied to Israel's, but hostility persisted.—
Efrat Lachter,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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No disrespect to Sir Paul McCartney, but Dwayne Carter Jr. (a.k.a. Lil Wayne) clearly had the superior musical medley of the night.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Public disrespect should be met with the most immediate public apology through the same medium.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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These laws sought to punish the people of Massachusetts for their disobedience during the Boston Tea Party by suspending civil government and trial by jury, among other things.—
Lawrence B.A. Hatter / Made by History,
TIME,
4 Feb. 2025
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Yes From an early age, we are taught that obedience is good, and disobedience is bad.—
Dr. Sunita Sah,
TIME,
4 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defiance
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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