as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of defiant
At the same time, Ani’s defiant refusal to warm to her assailant feeds into another rom-com formula: the love story that flowers out of an adversarial relationship.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Hannah’s defiant shoutout comes two days after the stunning Oval Office showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had the American president at points shouting at the Ukrainian leader on live television.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.6
14.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
-
In addition, parents who are too strict might even end up with kids who are extra rebellious.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Boon will play Eddie Harrigan, Kevin’s rebellious son.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The attacks started this week after reports emerged that Assad loyalists had ambushed and killed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – the rebel group that spearheaded the rebellion that ousted the former Syrian leader.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The singer and the songwriter traversed the frontlines of the urban guerrilla war that had consumed the city of Homs by that point, with one half of the city overtaken by regime soldiers and the other half controlled by rebel groups.—
Jawad Rizkallah,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Another type of hyperpigmentation that kojic acid can help with is melasma—a stubborn and hard-to-treat skin condition characterized by splotchy, brown or grayish patches.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
4 Mar. 2025
-
But four months after becoming the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, Trump faces a new reality of needing to tackle some of the most stubborn challenges awaiting any new president and deliver on his campaign promises to lower prices.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share