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.

Thousands of women responded by removing their headscarves in a collective act of defiance.

From The Wall Street Journal

The song that once gave voice to a struggle for liberty became a cry of defiance and faith.

From The Wall Street Journal

Maybe she’s not the classic image of defiance, but she’s certainly a modern one.

From Salon

At an emotional memorial on Sunday night, seven days since the attack, the same sense of defiance was on show.

From BBC

Then came Crawley's show of defiance, ended by the genius of Lyon.

From BBC