1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
In a final act of defiance, Maria publicly denounces Irma’s femicide and her husband’s complicity and commits suicide.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Simply put, this symbolism represented political defiance and a refusal to surrender.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 3 July 2025
However, Trump, who campaigned on the idea of revenge and retribution, is unlikely to forget Paul's defiance as that campaign ramps up.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 2 July 2025
But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Simply put, this symbolism represented political defiance and a refusal to surrender.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 3 July 2025
However, Trump, who campaigned on the idea of revenge and retribution, is unlikely to forget Paul's defiance as that campaign ramps up.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 2 July 2025
But Ben's defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
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Those early bands played a range of styles, though, in a touch of rebellion, stayed away from country at first.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Aug. 2025
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Paired with flowing boho dresses, long coats, or pencil skirts, these boots become a symbol of attitude and rebellion.—
María Munsuri,
Glamour,
27 July 2025
Noun
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Thanks to Republican opposition, Congress has not approved a new minimum wage law since 2007.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
29 July 2025
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Public polling and public displays of opposition alone will not shift U.S. policy.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Correa’s stunning return to Houston is another accentuation of owner Jim Crane’s aggression at the trade deadline and a jolt for a clubhouse that needed it.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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The work is a reflection on the extent of unbelievable acts of aggression that exist in times of confrontation, such as the compulsion to kill to retain control.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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In this way, the era sits within the broader lineage of cultural expression that helped give rise to movements like Black Lives Matter, where self-definition and public presence became acts of resistance.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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Address resistance through education, value demonstration and gradual implementation that builds confidence over time.—
Sunil Kumar Puli,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Days before Pirro's confirmation, Trump directed lawmakers to postpone their summer recess and clear a backlog of nominees whose confirmations had been delayed by Democrats over objections to his agenda, including judicial nominees.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
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The deadline for objections to Milwaukee residents' 2025 property assessments was May 19, but Wauwatosa residents have until Aug. 16 to submit an objection.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Without an end to hostilities, no humanitarian corridor can function safely, Palestinian civilians cannot be reached at scale and the hostages will not return home.—
David Miliband,
Time,
29 July 2025
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On Sunday Secretary of State Marco Rubio also called for a swift end to hostilities.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Find common ground with others, and confront disrespect appropriately. 4.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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No disrespect to Lafferty, who at times has been great at his role, but to call this outcome anything but disappointing is an understatement.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 July 2025
Noun
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And why is the punishment for disobedience akin to literal torture?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
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Misbehaviors tagged as disobedience affect Black students disproportionately and are the justification in a third of all suspension and expulsions.—
Meredith Kolodner,
USA TODAY,
1 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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