as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
At the same time, Ani’s defiant refusal to warm to her assailant feeds into another rom-com formula: the love story that flowers out of an adversarial relationship.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Boon will play Eddie Harrigan, Kevin’s rebellious son.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
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In addition, parents who are too strict might even end up with kids who are extra rebellious.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel group’s capture of swathes of the east and valuable mineral deposits has fanned fears of a wider war.—
Reuters,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
When militants led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reached Damascus last December, the capital fell without a fight.—
Marwan Muasher,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Fiscal and monetary policy are walking a tightrope between weak real growth and stubborn inflation.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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The financial outlook from nation’s largest retailer, which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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