as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
All that defiant growth is understandable, Roberson said.
—
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
When summoned before a congressional committee in December, Noem struck a defiant tone.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Between the river’s source, entrusted to an order of Orthodox nuns, and its southern delta, where caviar bound for the Kremlin is harvested, the author journeys through a defiant country transformed by war, sanctions, and reinvigorated patriotism.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Auralee has a reputation for bringing exciting color combinations to their collections and their AW26 show was no different, pairing reds, sky blues, and light greens in interesting variations, while showing an innate – almost defiant – sense of color blocking that many designers stray away from.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
When summoned before a congressional committee in December, Noem struck a defiant tone.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Between the river’s source, entrusted to an order of Orthodox nuns, and its southern delta, where caviar bound for the Kremlin is harvested, the author journeys through a defiant country transformed by war, sanctions, and reinvigorated patriotism.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Auralee has a reputation for bringing exciting color combinations to their collections and their AW26 show was no different, pairing reds, sky blues, and light greens in interesting variations, while showing an innate – almost defiant – sense of color blocking that many designers stray away from.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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The brand cultivates a fun, rebellious, and inclusive culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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Your 11th House of Friendship hosts Venus, who squares rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources, pushing group plans against changing costs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The rebel operation that Erdoğan approved seems to have been intended as a way to prod Assad to negotiate; it was framed not as an invasion but as a defensive move.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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The image, known as the rebel loon, blends the outline of a loon with the familiar rebellion emblem.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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If that doesn’t solve the problem, try scrubbing stubborn spots with Bar Keeper’s Friend and a nonabrasive sponge.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Rusk recommends using wash and styling products that don’t contain silicones (like dimethicone), which can cause a stubborn coating to accumulate that clogs follicles on the scalp and prevents the hair from absorbing moisturizing ingredients.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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