defiance
a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
open disregard; contempt (often followed by of): defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.
a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest.
Idioms about defiance
bid defiance to, to offer resistance; defy.
in defiance of, in spite of; notwithstanding: There was a splendid audience in defiance of the rainstorm.
Origin of defiance
1Other words from defiance
- non·de·fi·ance, noun
- pre·de·fi·ance, noun
Words Nearby defiance
Other definitions for Defiance (2 of 2)
a city in NW Ohio.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use defiance in a sentence
Or you may not have many—or any—friends, recasting your social exclusion as brave defiance of social norms.
Another 10 slaves threw themselves overboard in a display of defiance at the inhumanity.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn defiance, I held my ticket above my head, which triggered the spitting and chants of “How Dare You!”
She had just shot her arrow at an electric force field, an apparently society-changing act of defiance.
'Mockingjay—Part 1’ Is the Most Violent ‘Hunger Games’ Yet | Kevin Fallon | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe economy in Aleppo barely exists, and the attitude of those who remain hovers somewhere between defiance and defeat.
Local Truces Are Syria’s Sad Little Pieces of Peace | Joshua Hersh | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Two of the artillerymen who had not been injured came to his assistance, and again the gun was thundering forth its defiance.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnOthers now rushed to the rescue, the artillery men came back, and once more the guns were thundering their defiance.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnIt would have been a sort of review—in the face of the city of Dublin, in open defiance of all order and government.
From its strongly fortified position Havana set the buccaneers at defiance, and sometimes saved the whole island from ruin.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.Madame had risen hastily, fear and defiance blending in her face, and she had at once commanded mademoiselle's withdrawal.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
British Dictionary definitions for defiance
/ (dɪˈfaɪəns) /
open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power
a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with defiance
see in defiance of.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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