defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

dē-

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

jailed for defiance of a court order

2

: disposition to resist : willingness to contend or fight

dealing with a child's defiance

see also:

in defiance of

Synonyms of defiance

• rebellion
• willfulness
• rebelliousness
• disrespect
• contrariness
• disobedience

Examples of defiance in a Sentence

any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences

the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort

Recent Examples on the Web

Demonstrations across the world In Istanbul, police detained some 15 protesters who tried to reach Taksim Square, the epicenter of landmark 2013 protests, in defiance of a government ban. —Sylvie Corbet, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

There was almost a defiance about general manager Bill Guerin when the Wild acquired superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks. —Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026

In Istanbul, police detained some 15 protesters who tried to reach Taksim Square, the epicenter of landmark 2013 protests, in defiance of a government ban. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Still, the latest shipping data shows that most vessels that have transited the Strait of Hormuz in recent days have taken the route designated by Iranian authorities, and about half of them loaded their cargoes at Iranian ports in defiance of the US blockade. —Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffiaunce, defyaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French defiance, difiaunce, from defier, desfier "to renounce, challenge, defy entry 1" + -ance, -aunce -ance

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing defiance

• in defiance of

Rhymes for defiance

• science
• appliance
• compliance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Kids Definition

defiance

noun

de·​fi·​ance di-ˈfī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act or an instance of defying : challenge

2

: a tendency to resist : contempt of opposition