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.

Instead, it was only Stokes' defiance that prevented them from bowling twice in the day.

From BBC

They struck me as bold symbols of defiance and resilience.

From Los Angeles Times

What it couldn’t shield her from was the worldview that traveled with her family—a worldview that read her independence not as maturity but as defiance.

From The Wall Street Journal

The chief rabbi told the Today programme that the festival of Hanukkah commemorates the defiance of a small band of Jews some 2,150 years ago who were targeted by Emperor Antiochus Epiphanes.

From BBC

If UC’s leaders have preached restraint, its faculty has opted for open defiance.

From Salon

defiance

Example Sentences

Related Words