as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
Earlier Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries struck a defiant tone on the heels of Democrats’ win in Virginia.
—
Justin Papp,dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
When Democrats came out swinging, Kennedy became more defiant, even at times screaming his rebuttals — though some of them didn’t align with the facts.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
That can mean embracing more color and shimmer, and being unapologetic, even defiant, through makeup.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
The applause after the final whistle on Tuesday night and the defiant chants of an appreciative Kop spoke to a gutsy performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Justin Papp,dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
When Democrats came out swinging, Kennedy became more defiant, even at times screaming his rebuttals — though some of them didn’t align with the facts.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
That can mean embracing more color and shimmer, and being unapologetic, even defiant, through makeup.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
The applause after the final whistle on Tuesday night and the defiant chants of an appreciative Kop spoke to a gutsy performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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The film explores the iconic partnership between Fonteyn, a 42-year-old prima ballerina and Britain’s most famous dancer, and Rudolf Nureyev, the 23-year-old rebellious Soviet defector who became her partner on stage (and, it was rumored, off it as well).—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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When the skyscraper where Rayburn and his family lives is destroyed in an explosion, Creasy attempts to regain his military prowess in his determination to protect Rayburn’s rebellious teen daughter Poe (Billie Boullet), who has been targeted by the terrorists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The camp was established in December 2025 to accommodate the Congolese fleeing the rebel advance on Uvira, which prompted Burundi to close the Gatumba border crossing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In December 2024, a rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through the country with stunning speed, toppling the Assad regime that had ruled Syria since 1970.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Jared Speight is a stubborn titan of Long Island abstraction when star writer Roxy Margaux first becomes infatuated with his bravado.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
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For concrete or tile, a mild cleaner helps remove the stubborn pollen film that builds up over spring months.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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