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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Trump defied the odds to win a criminal justice victory in his first term.
—
Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
Still, the defensive drop-off over the first two-plus months of the season defied explanation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In a thrilling Game 7 win over the juggernaut 73-win Warriors, James defied everything to bring home the prize.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Citing dissatisfaction over the Left’s stance on war, immigration, gender ideology, and more, several prominent Democrats made waves for defying their party about President-elect Donald Trump during a political cycle like none other.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy 
Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
Still, the defensive drop-off over the first two-plus months of the season defied explanation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In a thrilling Game 7 win over the juggernaut 73-win Warriors, James defied everything to bring home the prize.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Citing dissatisfaction over the Left’s stance on war, immigration, gender ideology, and more, several prominent Democrats made waves for defying their party about President-elect Donald Trump during a political cycle like none other.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Philippine police have filed criminal complaints against Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders in an altercation in Congress over the brief detention of her chief of staff, who was accused of hampering the congressional inquiry.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Dec. 2024
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Also not computing: Where the hell does Ben get off disobeying Chief Altman’s orders?—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Building a business is not for the faint of heart, and many of those who dare to take the chance share one trait: self-confidence.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
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Guests can explore via Zodiac boat, and common activities include hiking, kayaking and polar plunges (for those who dare).—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Meeting these expectations requires leaders to first confront their own assumptions about work, wellness, and performance.—
Tarun Galagali,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The irony is striking—the man who built his political brand on confronting China now fights to resurrect one of its most effective tools for gathering American data.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Complete with two carry-ons and two checkable bags, each suitcase is outfitted in 100 percent ABS, hardwearing material that resists scratches and dents.—
Alyssa Brascia,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2025
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This Mount Royal Avenue cultural institution resists change (its historic interior was last updated in 1982) and yet bends successfully.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Peter, on the other hand, is approaching it in a very old fashioned, very masculine, frankly, way of burying it, ignoring it, and that doesn’t often work.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
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Modeste says ignoring mental health will no longer cut it, so parents should have open and honest discussions about it.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The order directs the Bureau of Prisons to halt the use of federal dollars for gender-affirming care, something several incarcerated trans people have successfully challenged in court.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Her works, such as Judith Slaying Holofernes, challenge traditional gender roles and highlight her mastery of light and composition. 14.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For decades, manufacturing has faced a negative reputation.—
Laurie Harbour and Scott Walton,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Boulder is a hub for innovative technology companies, home to the state's flagship university and a microcosm of challenges facing the state.—
John Frank,
Axios,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His ability to shut down opposing wide receivers was a major reason why the Eagles had one of the most formidable defenses in the league.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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In the Senate, 79 members voted in favor of the measure, while 18 opposed and three abstained.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defy
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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