1
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposition
the inclination to resist
the troubled youth seems to have an ingrained defiance to authority of any sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a deeply troubled person who seemed the very soul of defiance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiance
Last month, demonstrators in the city of Morón set the headquarters of the Communist Party on fire—a gesture of defiance hard to imagine even just a year ago.
—
Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
That hope is a powerful statement of defiance in the face of the realities of war and the broader sentiment in Israeli and Palestinian public opinion.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The county, however, refused to comply with the order to close in that case and has continued operating Los Padrinos in defiance.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
That hope is a powerful statement of defiance in the face of the realities of war and the broader sentiment in Israeli and Palestinian public opinion.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The county, however, refused to comply with the order to close in that case and has continued operating Los Padrinos in defiance.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiance
Noun
-
What was expected to be a quick vote turned into an hourslong saga as some House Republicans launched a rebellion over an issue with an unrelated farm bill.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The leader of the rebellion chatted with young kids carrying Princess Leia dolls and wearing Boba Fett masks.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Starmer — who is facing relentless domestic criticism over a flailing economy and his appointment of the disgraced Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, while grappling with a surging far-right opposition — will be praying for a smooth visit.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Milei also modified an open-records law to limit the scope of publicly available information and, in 2024, shut down Argentina's state news agency Telam, accusing it of being a propaganda mouthpiece for the left-leaning populist opposition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Minnesota is playing with aggression.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the regular season, Donte DiVincenzo was used to being the one who had to set the tone for Minnesota with his effort and aggression.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 2024 opening of the facility met with some resistance from local community leaders, who had safety concerns.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Some Trump-boosting podcasters and influencers cheered the FCC’s aggressiveness on Tuesday.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Not long into his second term, Bush sat uncomfortably as Stephen Colbert, then a Comedy Central host, hammered him with an aggressiveness unusual for the dinner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kelly said a decision to release surveillance footage despite investigators’ objections became a lasting distraction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Coleman decided to blend Italian cooking with barbecue cooking by introducing BBQ spaghetti—in spite of her mother’s objections.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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