Definitions

defy

[dih-fahy, dee-] / dɪˈfaɪ, di- /

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

face off 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.

Two decades on from his first appearance on this stage, and now in a record 27th World Cup match, Messi continues to defy his age.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

And yet it was really actually important to us that we tried to defy genre and defy categorization in that way.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

I remember thinking her diatribe about the injustice of Hester Prynne’s shunning would segue into the cruelties Charles faced with the goal of inspiring someone to defy the blacklist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

But I defy anyone to name another film this year that balances spectacle and sweeping romance at the blockbuster level as well as Fennell’s film does.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

He disavowed nothing: he seemed as if he would defy all things.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Vocabulary lists containing defy

The Cay

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I Am Malala

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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