1
as in disobeys
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in confronts
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in resists
to refuse to give in to
a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defies
This is the second recent case that defies sound judgment.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
There is a casino that defies the laws of gravity, a planet made entirely of water populated by Bloopers (little white squid-like creatures), and a constellation of floating islands called the Honeyhive Galaxy, which is run by bees and dotted with giant pink flowers.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Mar. 2026
Salah’s salary, like those of most footballers, defies specifics and is subject to permutations.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department says that interpretation defies the plain text of the law.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Lendeborg’s success story defies the typical blue-chip narrative in basketball recruiting.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
While the broader airline sector is weathering a storm of escalating costs and geopolitical fragmentation, Delta Air Lines (DAL) has managed to maintain an altitude that defies the market’s current gravitational pull.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The clash with Thune defies months of cooperation that helped Trump usher his Cabinet and signature tax cuts through Congress.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026
There’s a chance Boozer defies those expectations.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
There is a casino that defies the laws of gravity, a planet made entirely of water populated by Bloopers (little white squid-like creatures), and a constellation of floating islands called the Honeyhive Galaxy, which is run by bees and dotted with giant pink flowers.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Mar. 2026
Salah’s salary, like those of most footballers, defies specifics and is subject to permutations.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department says that interpretation defies the plain text of the law.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Lendeborg’s success story defies the typical blue-chip narrative in basketball recruiting.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
While the broader airline sector is weathering a storm of escalating costs and geopolitical fragmentation, Delta Air Lines (DAL) has managed to maintain an altitude that defies the market’s current gravitational pull.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The clash with Thune defies months of cooperation that helped Trump usher his Cabinet and signature tax cuts through Congress.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026
There’s a chance Boozer defies those expectations.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defies
Verb
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Still, a young kid is a young kid no matter the era, and to fulfill his wish of seeing real dinosaurs, Arco disobeys his parents.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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This month, the cosmos dares you to do things differently, so trust your instincts and embrace the momentum.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After The Boss exits, New Art confronts Curator, questioning the promise of visibility and a newfound purpose.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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One of the biggest comes late, when their son Billy (Joel Ochoa) confronts his father.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ri’s work resists binaries, instead offering a fluid continuum where transformation is constant.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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To this day, her work resists categorization.—
Patricia Zohn,
Air Mail,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Today’s anything-goes, zero-sum war for attention ignores the lessons learned in the Golden Age of advertising in the 1960s, when brands were sold with thoughtful, artistic, wise and playful takes on the human condition.—
Bruce Stockler,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
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His inept Cabinet ignores, and actually encourages, his very weird and embarrassing meandering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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The game challenges players to guess the hourly burrito combination for a chance to unlock prizes.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now that Sacramento County’s fiscal adviser has canceled the Sacramento City Unified School District board’s contract with a consulting firm, the district faces its budget crisis with fewer options and a ticking clock.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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Your 7th House of Bonds faces pressure as the Sun squares lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Jobs, urging follow‑through on promises.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The industry opposes federal regulation aimed at protecting consumers, arguing that such legislation would undermine state authority.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
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Finally, a group that opposes affirmative action is suing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, alleging that some college scholarships for Black students discriminate based on race.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defies. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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