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.

Moderna defied expectations of a Covid-revenue slowdown on Friday as a surge in international vaccine sales underpinned its first-quarter results.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Oil discoveries in the 1920s brought thousands to the rural Texas Panhandle in fast-growing communities that sometimes defied the rule of law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The 5th Circuit defied this command on Tuesday, and its excuse for doing so was rice-paper-thin.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

His characters have aged in subsequent books, but the city has defied the laws of entropy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

After several days of fighting, three British generals, alarmed by the heavy loss of life, defied army tradition by protesting directly to their superior, General Douglas Haig.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman