defy
to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly: Love drives the characters to ignore their family feud and defy parental authority.The artist defies conventional categories by blending very different styles in her work.
to offer effective resistance to; make virtually impossible: Their strategic position is helped by having a fort that defies attack.The facts were so complex that they defied simple explanation.
to challenge (a person) to do something deemed impossible: They defied him to dive off the bridge.
Archaic. to challenge to a combat or contest.
Origin of defy
1Other words for defy
Other words from defy
- de·fi·a·ble, adjective
- de·fy·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·de·fy, verb (used with object), pre·de·fied, pre·de·fy·ing.
- re·de·fy, verb (used with object), re·de·fied, re·de·fy·ing.
- un·de·fi·a·ble, adjective
- un·de·fi·a·bly, adverb
Words Nearby defy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use defy in a sentence
Again we have seen the stirring scenes of young and old defy riot police and arbitrary detention in an authoritarian state.
Russia Is Murdering the Kremlin's Biggest Critic in Plain Sight. Who Will Save Alexei Navalny? | Michael Weiss | April 22, 2021 | TimeAyman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al Qaeda, specifically called on French Muslims to defy the ban.
Abu Dhabi Stabbing: Why Law Enforcement Hates The Niqab & Burqa | Christopher Dickey | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Simpsons really does defy all expectations in terms of the normal lifespan.
Harry Shearer on Being Nixon, ‘The Simpsons Movie’ Sequel, and Why Obama Should Return His Nobel | Marlow Stern | October 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe political implications are clear—but the battle lines about to form are likely to defy party lines.
The man who once seemed to defy death entirely has held onto his reputation and accolades long after succumbing to his mortality.
Saying so is to make a statement so obvious as to defy the need for citation.
Palestinian Kids’ PTSD Could Last Generations | Russell Saunders | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTArches more graceful in form, or better fitted to defy the assaults of time, I have never seen.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyIf they are still Moderns and alive, I defy you to bury them if you are discussing living questions in a full and honest way.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsHe could not bear to open his dreadful situation to his Uncle David, nor to kill himself, nor to defy the vengeance of Longcluse.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuIt was probably this opposition that made young Cargill decide that it would be really worth while to defy the legend.
Uncanny Tales | Various"Thirty," said the first bidder in a tone which seemed to defy further competition.
Camille (La Dame aux Camilias) | Alexandre Dumas, fils
British Dictionary definitions for defy
/ (dɪˈfaɪ) /
to resist (a powerful person, authority, etc) openly and boldly
to elude, esp in a baffling way: his actions defy explanation
formal to challenge or provoke (someone to do something judged to be impossible); dare: I defy you to climb that cliff
archaic to invite to do battle or combat
Origin of defy
1Derived forms of defy
- defier, noun
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
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