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.

The e-bike craze, which is putting many people, including kids, in the hospital at an alarming rate, has thus far defied similar regulatory frameworks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Xanadu defied a broad selloff as it spiked 15% in its first day of trading, though those gains were erased by the following session.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Only two players have defied that trend in the past two decades and both are all-time greats who can be considered outliers.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

As head of Simon Property Group, he defied critics who said that malls were dinosaurs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

I had openly defied one of the masters in front of his own class and avoided expulsion.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss