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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals was once thought to be unbeatable but Ovechkin is set to defy the odds.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Notably, the administration defied Boasberg's court order last month to turn back flights deporting about 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador.
—April Rubin, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Utilities Europe’s utility stocks led gains on Thursday, defying a broader market sell-off as investors reacted to Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
—Chloe Taylor,jenni Reid,sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
By the time Vought’s nomination came up for a vote, on February 6th, Trump had openly defied spending statutes by issuing an executive order that froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Notably, the administration defied Boasberg's court order last month to turn back flights deporting about 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador.
—April Rubin, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Utilities Europe’s utility stocks led gains on Thursday, defying a broader market sell-off as investors reacted to Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
—Chloe Taylor,jenni Reid,sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
By the time Vought’s nomination came up for a vote, on February 6th, Trump had openly defied spending statutes by issuing an executive order that froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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After a federal judge ordered the government to respond to the accusation that CBP disobeyed a court order by deporting Alawieh, lawyers from the Justice Department denied the accusation the morning of March 17, court records show.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
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Her attorneys argue the government disobeyed the order.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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In fact, Bryant is daring her clients to incorporate bright colors into the bones of their homes through tile and paint.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This story is not just a story of Iranian women, but a story that is confronting ideas of body image.—
Xian Horn,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Kitamura’s actor, too, has achieved a kind of creative and professional zenith only after renouncing the prospect of such a home, and Xavier’s claim suddenly confronts her with the alternative reality of being a very different kind of character: a mother.—
Jordan Kisner,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Vrabel then asked players to resist pulling sweatshirt hoodies over their heads during meetings.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The most resilient enterprises of tomorrow will not be the ones that resist change—but those that learn, adapt, and lead through it—with data, decisiveness, and humanity.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Though last Friday’s March jobs release was better than expected, with an increase in 228,000 jobs according to the nonfarm payroll report, it was widely ignored as old news due to the tariff implementation.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Pedro Pascal isn't ignoring an obvious parallel between himself and his character in the HBO series The Last of Us.—
Arabella Hau,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Spoelstra unsuccessfully challenged that second Adebayo foul, left without a challenge the balance of the night.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2025
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After his Shanghai podium, Russell talked up Mercedes’ teamwork through these opening two races, merely feeling the pace had been lacking to properly challenge McLaren.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Chandler is 2-4 with the UFC, but outside his 2022 matchup against a fading Tony Ferguson, the 38-year-old has only faced the elite of the division.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The brand sources its whiskey from other distilleries, but in 2022 it was announced that Pernod would build a dedicated distillery and warehouses for the brand, proof of its success and belief in the future of American whiskey (which, admittedly, is currently facing some headwinds).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Based on pre- and post-debate data collected from the audience, Sey's stance on opposing trans athletes in women's sports appeared to be the winning argument.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Elon Musk, Trump’s top campaign donor and White House cost-cutting chief, is opposing Trump’s tariffs increasingly more openly.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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