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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
For composer Bryce Dessner, working on a film like Sing Sing was all about defying expectations in the score.
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Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
Only Folie à Deux defies the rule, but it arguably was ignored enough and disappointing enough that a redemptive return could wind up eagerly embraced by the time two more years have passed without Batman in theaters (and four total years since The Batman).
—Mark Hughes, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Yet Madi defied the odds to live on for the next couple of years.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes in Ukraine, defied the warrant by visiting Mongolia in September, but did not risk a visit to South Africa in 2023.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy 
Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
Only Folie à Deux defies the rule, but it arguably was ignored enough and disappointing enough that a redemptive return could wind up eagerly embraced by the time two more years have passed without Batman in theaters (and four total years since The Batman).
—Mark Hughes, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Yet Madi defied the odds to live on for the next couple of years.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes in Ukraine, defied the warrant by visiting Mongolia in September, but did not risk a visit to South Africa in 2023.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the extremist group has intensified its oppression of women's rights: extensive censorship, mandatory male guardianship, and burqa/hijab dress-code enforcement that comes with severe penalties for disobeying.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Despite being threatened to be reported for disobeying his officer’s direct orders to stay sheltered in the ditch, Kohler kept running.Alaa Elassar, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
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His stylist Felicity Kay clearly understands the necessary balance of feminine and masculine elements to push daring fashion.Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 21 Dec. 2024
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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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After overhearing the fight, Joshua Mayfield-Chavez Jr. confronted Honeywood and shot him, police said.Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
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Instead of confronting the grumpy old man in his present, the Doctor goes back in time and changes his childhood memories right before his eyes.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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Amazon has consistently resisted unionization efforts, arguing that many of the workers involved—particularly delivery drivers—are not its employees but rather work for third-party Delivery Service Partners.Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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In most cases, though, the owner can – and should – resist the request.Joshua Stein, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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But key architects of the British and American working classes ignored efforts to fuse the labor and abolitionist movements and instead linked labor militancy to white suffering.Gunther Peck / Made by History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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While stocks fell slightly on Thursday, investors are mostly ignoring recent reports showing inflation is still a very real problem.Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
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Greene is one of several lawmakers who have challenged the official information given by government agencies about the drone sightings.Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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In the months leading to the election, such arrests became more common, but Venezuelans who weren’t looking to visibly challenge Maduro could take comfort in the fact that most of those arrested had political profiles.Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
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Payers are focused on reducing costs to boost profitability, often leading to friction with healthcare providers who face increasing administrative burdens and diminishing financial returns.Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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In extreme cases, companies may face multimillion-dollar settlements due to data privacy violations or failure to meet industry-specific regulations.Jody Brazil, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That came after 64% opposed a bond referendum in November 2023 to allow the city to borrow $35.5 million for the project.Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
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Pushback on the horizon Shocking no one, the multibillion-dollar fossil fuel industry that profits from the sales of gas-burning vehicles staunchly opposes California’s recent rules.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near defy
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
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