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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Recent Examples of defiant
Trump admin's defiant fight with ‘lunatic’ judge over deportation flights reaches tipping point today.
2.
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Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
That month, Columbia President Nemat Shafik abandoned the defiant posture that typified the stance Ivy League presidents had previously assumed.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025
The highly personal documentary is a heartfelt and raw story of a middle-aged control-freak father, who struggles to connect with his defiant son.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers make defiant speech after winning best documentary Oscar
For Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
That month, Columbia President Nemat Shafik abandoned the defiant posture that typified the stance Ivy League presidents had previously assumed.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025
The highly personal documentary is a heartfelt and raw story of a middle-aged control-freak father, who struggles to connect with his defiant son.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers make defiant speech after winning best documentary Oscar
For Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
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Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
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President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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