1
as in disobeyed
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
3
as in confronted
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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4
as in resisted
to refuse to give in to
a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races
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Recent Examples of defied
Today, at 27 years old, RJ has defied nearly every prediction on that list.
—
Holly Robinson Peete, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
And even with that, 38 Republicans defied their president-elect.
—ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The county defied the state’s order, instead giving Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa temporary authority to redirect some county workers into the hall.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Whatever its rating, Gremlins features impressive practical effects and some delightful dark comedy, making for a well-rounded classic that defied genres and defined a generation.
—Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
This year was one filled with astral displays that defied expectations and filled us here on Earth with a sense of wonder and awe about the universe that surrounds us.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Yet one in five workers with only a high school diploma defied the odds, according to a new study by Burning Glass Institute, an independent nonprofit research center.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Widowed at the age of 27, the icon defied many conventions, including mixing red and white wines.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Travis Hunter, the two-way superstar who has defied all odds thus far, is taking home the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Holly Robinson Peete, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
And even with that, 38 Republicans defied their president-elect.
—ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The county defied the state’s order, instead giving Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa temporary authority to redirect some county workers into the hall.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Whatever its rating, Gremlins features impressive practical effects and some delightful dark comedy, making for a well-rounded classic that defied genres and defined a generation.
—Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
This year was one filled with astral displays that defied expectations and filled us here on Earth with a sense of wonder and awe about the universe that surrounds us.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Yet one in five workers with only a high school diploma defied the odds, according to a new study by Burning Glass Institute, an independent nonprofit research center.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Widowed at the age of 27, the icon defied many conventions, including mixing red and white wines.
—Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Travis Hunter, the two-way superstar who has defied all odds thus far, is taking home the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defied
Verb
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Later, the government detained locals who dared to publicly criticize the corruption.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
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Morrison dared to write aloud for Black folks what many discussed in private at dinner tables and on front porches.Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After being confronted by The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), Jung-Ho shockingly discovers that his brother is now the head guard of the whole operation.Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement In September, Aguilar and his wife were confronted in their driveway by multiple armed people who demanded property from them, according to the LAPD.Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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While the charges are welcome in this case, unfortunately, President Biden has resisted using the levers available to him through the Department of Education and the Department of Justice’s civil rights division to protect Jewish students and tamp down on anti-American radicalism on campus.The Editors, National Review, 24 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Starbucks has long resisted the unionization of its stores, but had agreed to negotiate a contract by the end of the year.CBS News, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Firmware updates, essential for patching vulnerabilities and enhancing router functionality, are also largely ignored.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
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But the sheriff's office that operates the jail ignored the detainer, releasing Ruiz into the public without notifying ICE.Greg Wehner, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Texas Top Cop Shop is only one of several cases that have challenged the CTA pending before courts around the country.Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Tom Allen’s defense completely rattled the Mustangs and now they’ll be challenged with stopping a Broncos team that ranks fourth in the FBS in scoring offense.Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, the deal has faced stiff bipartisan political opposition since the day it was announced.Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Canada's troubled Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, faced growing calls to resign last week after his Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Director, Chrystia Freeland, resigned over disagreements about government spending.Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Robert Bauman, who chairs the council's Public Works Committee, opposed the $5 million funding request that was part of Johnson's 2025 budget proposal.Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
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Even the milk industry opposed it.Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near defied
Cite this Entry
“Defied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defied. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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