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.

In Still Alive, Raina addresses the hiatus with a mix of self-deprecation and defiance.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He takes the defiance as an insult and the public insult as an embarrassment.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

He doesn’t respond to his various wake-up calls with stubborn defiance but a curiosity that shifts his moping into something akin to a geeky, fun-loving second adolescence.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

That message of defiance wasn’t delivered by Khamenei himself: It was read out on state television by a female news anchor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

She was sweet and sure, while Marshall boomed, as though in defiance.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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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