defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
dē-
: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent
defiant rebels
a defiant refusal
Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.Christopher Ketcham

Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue. the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, was defiant in remarks to reporters earlier Monday. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025 But when asked about the lack of norms and decorum in the current political climate and whether Democrats need to play on the same level, Himes was defiant. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 Trump administration officials have been defiant by turning up the dial on deportation critics through social media channels and press conferences and slamming Democrats who question the legality and morality of some deportation moves. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 The ruling sets up a seismic legal showdown between an unrelenting judge and a defiant Trump administration, which has prioritized following the president’s executive directives over a flurry of judicial mandates. David Catanese, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defiant

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defiant was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiant. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective
de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent
defiantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on defiant

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