defies

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.

“This is not just another IPO — it’s the largest in U.S. history, and it’s being rushed to market with a valuation that defies financial logic,” Weingarten said in a statement.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

This aggression defies guidance from the Supreme Court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

"Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief."

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Borgli’s audacious, stark writing defies faux outrage, even if that performative indignation will be an inevitable product of a film so daring.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The genome-as-self-replicating-machine co-opts the physiology of a cell, resulting in a shape-shifting illness that, despite significant advances, still defies our ability to treat or cure it.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee