Definitions

defiance

[dih-fahy-uhns] / dɪˈfaɪ əns /

NOUN

disobedience, disregard

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confrontation contempt opposition provocation rebellion spite

STRONG

affront audacity boldness bravado brazenness call cartel challenge command contrariness contumacy dare effrontery gas guts impudence insolence insubordination insurgence insurgency intractableness lip muster order perversity rebelliousness recalcitrance revolt sass stump summons temerity unruliness

WEAK

back talk big talk defy enjoinder factiousness hot air impugnment throwing of the gauntlet

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm harmony love peace

STRONG

answer care caution cowardice fear humility modesty timidity

WEAK

acquiescence obedience regard respect submission subordination

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, he strives, with Sisyphean defiance, to break free.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Hundreds more in Bogota, mostly young demonstrators, gathered outside the national university in defiance of preliminary results that gave De la Espriella 49.66 percent over leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda's 48.70 percent.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

Its proponents have turned it into a symbol of freedom and defiance.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

For musician Alen Dokic - who has produced a World Cup song under the alias Doppelganger - Bosnia's qualification is an example of 'Bosanski Inat', a cultural mindset of defiance and overcoming adversity.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Guilt surges through my body as my aunt speaks, but so does defiance.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Vocabulary lists containing defiance

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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The Outsiders

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Walk Two Moons

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