Defy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈfī/ de·fy

Meaning & Definition of Defy

Defy (verb)

  1. to confront with assured power of resistance, disregard
  2. to resist attempts at, withstand
  3. to challenge to do something considered impossible, dare

Defy (noun)

  1. challenge, defiance

Defy (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of

    "in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day"

    similar: disobey, mock, rebel (against)
    related: disoblige, mutiny (against), revolt (against), disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, tune out, brush (off), dismiss, flout, pooh-pooh, reject, scoff (at), scorn, shrug off, wink (at), breach, break, infringe, transgress, violate, buck, combat, contest, dispute, fight, oppose, resist, withstand
    opposite: comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey
    near: capitulate (to), concede (to), defer (to), goose-step (to), serve, stoop (to), submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to), cooperate (with), keep, observe, accede (to), acquiesce (to), agree (to), assent (to), oblige, attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, watch

  2. to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

    "after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better"

    similar: challenge, dare, stump
    related: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face, outbrave, outface

  3. to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage

    "a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm"

    similar: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, face, outbrave, outface, stand up to
    related: face up (to), front, affront, challenge, encounter, meet, accost, approach, corner, repel, resist, stand, withstand, battle, combat, contend (with), fight, oppose, square (off)
    opposite: dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep
    near: avoid, eschew, shun, elude, escape, evade, shake

  4. to refuse to give in to

    "a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races"

    similar: buck, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand
    related: battle, combat, contend (with), challenge, contest, contradict, dispute, baffle, balk, foil, frustrate, thwart, check, counter, hinder, obstruct, stem
    opposite: bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), knuckle under (to), stoop (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Defy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Defy:

disobey, mock, rebel (against), challenge, dare, stump, beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face, outbrave, outface, buck, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand, stand up to

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Defy

Words with the opposite meaning of Defy:

comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey, dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep, bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), knuckle under (to), stoop (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

Related Words for Defy

disoblige, mutiny (against), revolt (against), disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, tune out, brush (off), dismiss, flout, pooh-pooh, reject, scoff (at), scorn, shrug off, wink (at), breach, break, infringe, transgress, violate, combat, contest, dispute, face up (to), front, affront, encounter

Near Antonyms of Defy

concede (to), defer (to), goose-step (to), serve, cooperate (with), keep, observe, accede (to), acquiesce (to), agree (to), assent (to), oblige, attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, watch, avoid, eschew, shun, elude, escape, evade, shake

Word Forms of Defy

Inflections: defied, defying, defies

Origin & Etymology of Defy

Middle English defien "to renounce, disavow, scorn, challenge to fight," borrowed from Anglo-French defier, desfier, from de-, des- de- + fier "to pledge, trust in, rely on," going back to Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, re-formation of Latin fīdere "to trust (in), have confidence (in)" faith:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Defy

Words & Phrases Containing Defy

defy analysis, defy belief, defy convention, defy logic

Frequently Asked Questions about Defy

What does "Defy" mean?

"Defy" means to confront with assured power of resistance, disregard. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to confront with assured power of resistance, disregard. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Defy"?

Other words for "Defy" include disobey, mock, rebel (against), challenge, dare, stump, beard and brave. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Defy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Defy"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Defy". Common alternatives include disobey, mock, rebel (against), challenge, dare, stump, beard, brave, brazen and breast.

What is the opposite of "Defy"?

Antonyms of "Defy" include comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey, dodge, duck and funk. Near antonyms include concede (to), defer (to), goose-step (to) and serve.

How do you use "Defy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Defy" in a sentence: "in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day"; "after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better"; "a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm".

Is "Defy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Defy" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Defy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Defy" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Defy"?

"Defy" is pronounced /di-ˈfī/ and divided into syllables as de·fy.