defied

[dih-fahyd] / dɪˈfaɪd /

VERB

challenge, frustrate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confront disregard elude flout ignore mock oppose provoke resist ridicule spurn thwart violate withstand

STRONG

baffle beard brave contemn dare defeat deride despise face foil front gibe insult repel repulse scorn slight stick venture

WEAK

fly in face of hang tough hurl defiance at make my day outdare stick fast take one on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist flatter help note pay attention praise regard respect

STRONG

abet admire attract commend compliment encourage give up hide like love

WEAK

give in obey surrender yield

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.

Yet Chisora repeatedly defied those calls, extending his career and even finding late momentum with victories over fringe world-level contenders.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Another tech name defied a broader artificial intelligence slump– Qnity Electronics.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Divorced and a single mother, Paul defied those norms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

The cynical maneuver so disgusted Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a maverick Democrat from rural Washington state, that she defied party leaders and introduced a resolution rebuking Garcia.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Holly will hate me forever, I can tell, both because I defied her authority as team leader and because I’ve had a chance, more than once now, to see her all tearful and scared.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich