Synonyms for defy
dɪˈfaɪ; ˈdi faɪ

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

1. defy, withstand, hold, hold up(verb)

   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, refuse(verb)

   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, dare(verb)

   challenge

   "I dare you!"

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

   Antonyms:
   lend oneself, apply

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

1. defy

   Synonyms:
   scorn, challenge, provoke, despite, brave

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

1. defy(v. a.)

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

2. defy(v. a.)

   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. defy(v)

   Synonyms:
   challenge, dare, spurn, flout, scorn

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

1. List of paraphrases:

   challenge, defying, flout, defies, defiant

How to pronounce defy?

Alex

US English

Daniel

British

Karen

Australian

Veena

Indian

How to say defy in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use defy in a sentence?

1. Phil Robertson:

   This is a test case for whether rule of law really means anything in Thailand when the poor and powerless take on a state agency that has been negligent, if the (Pollution Control Department) can defy an order from the Supreme Administrative Court without facing severe consequences, it spreads the word that government agencies can do what they want.

2. 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.

3. Michael Tracy:

   You can't just defy the laws of business physics which require you to go down a learning curve collectively to build that systems know-how.

4. Justice Potter Stewart:

   The right to defy an unconstitutional statute is basic in our scheme. Even when an ordinance requires a permit to make a speech, to deliver a sermon, to picket, to parade, or to assemble, it need not be honored when it’s invalid on its face.

5. 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.

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