Synonyms for defy
dɪˈfaɪ; ˈdi faɪ

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms(2.50 / 4 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. defy

   Synonyms:
   scorn, challenge, provoke, despite, brave

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. defy, withstand, hold, hold upverb

   resist or confront with resistance

   "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"

   Synonyms:
   accommodate, book, stand up, retain, moderate, view as, support, apply, hold back, harbour, hold out, take hold, bind, hold up, arrest, dare, live, take, have, concord, survive, live on, check, make, take for, go for, stand firm, keep, defend, control, harbor, deem, throw, obligate, carry, give, adjudge, entertain, nurse, oblige, curb, hold, stick up, last, confine, hold water, have got, go, endure, restrain, declare, withstand, agree, hold in, delay, halt, contain, concur, maintain, guard, keep back, sustain, prevail, reserve, admit, obtain, refuse, resist, detain, bear

   Antonyms:
   lend oneself, apply

2. defy, resist, refuseverb

   elude, especially in a baffling way

   "This behavior defies explanation"

   Synonyms:
   pass up, baulk, reject, stand, deny, resist, hold up, hold out, fend, hold, balk, dissent, decline, jib, turn away, stand firm, withstand, refuse, protest, turn down, dare

   Antonyms:
   apply, lend oneself

3. defy, dareverb

   challenge

   "I dare you!"

   Synonyms:
   hold up, refuse, make bold, dare, presume, withstand, resist, hold

   Antonyms:
   lend oneself, apply

Matched Categories

1. • Challenge

Dictionary of English Synonymes(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate these synonyms:

1. defyverb

   Synonyms:
   challenge, dare, bid defiance to, hurl defiance at

2. defyverb

   Synonyms:
   brave, disregard, slight, scorn, spurn, despise, contemn, treat with contempt, trample on, set at naught, snap the fingers at

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. defyverb

   Synonyms:
   challenge, dare, spurn, flout, scorn

PPDB, the paraphrase database(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate these paraphrases:

1. List of paraphrases for "defy":

   challenge, defying, flout, defies, defiant

How to pronounce defy?

How to say defy in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use defy in a sentence?

1. Cometan:

   I cannot defy God’s will for me.

2. Ernie Gates:

   To shut down Stars and Stripes on Oct. 1 would defy the expressed will of the House and pre-empt full consideration by The Senate, there's every reason to expect that the federal government will operate under a Continuing Resolution when the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. Secretary Esper and Defense Department should commit to continuing to fund Stars and Stripes under such a scenario -- and when Congress completes the budget process, it should then make Stars and Stripes' funding ironclad.

3. Jerry Nadler:

   Article 3 of Nixon's impeachment was obstruction of Congress, refusing to obey defined congressional subpoenas, pleading imaginary privilege, and obviously that's what The President has been doing. Richard Nixon wasn't foolish to say in advance that Richard Nixon's going to defy all congressional subpoenas... and today we saw a witness instructed by the White House completely contemptuous of Congress who refused to answer relevant questions. Just another instance of obstruction of Congress and that's what Article 3 of the Richard Nixon impeachment was.

4. Elijah Cummings:

   Yesterday, President Trump declared to the entire country that President Trump would obstruct Congress and order all White House officials to defy lawful subpoenas from Congress, today, the Trump Administration went even further by expanding this policy to employees at federal agencies — even when the subpoenas are bipartisan and supported by Republican Members of Congress.

5. Cometan:

   I must remind, That time, Will be kind, To thine, And mine, Only if thy, Do not defy, His hand, And the sands, For distorting such, Is very much, A regrettable act, To dispatch, Upon thine pearled, Beautiful world.

Images & Illustrations of defy