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defy
[ dih-fahy, dee- ]
verb (used with object)
- 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.
Synonyms: , , ,
- 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.
noun
- a challenge; a defiance.
defy
/ ɪˈڲɪ /
verb
- 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
Derived Forms
- ˈھ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·ھ·· adjective
- ·ڲ·Բ· adverb
- ··ڲ verb (used with object) predefied predefying
- ··ڲ verb (used with object) redefied redefying
- un··ھ·· adjective
- ܲ··ھ·· adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of defy1
Word History and Origins
Origin of defy1
Example Sentences
While he describes a polite, gentle and compassionate man, Archbishop Gallagher also said Pope Francis knew his own mind and often defied the advice of those around him.
If Trump decides to defy the high court and trigger a constitutional crisis he will not have the support of the American people.
Being held in criminal contempt of court means defying a judge’s orders.
It was a club that had defied the odds just a few years earlier by finishing second in the Eredivisie in 1998-99 and reaching the Champions League.
The looming question, Schiff said, is how the country will respond if the Trump administration defies another Supreme Court order temporarily barring deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
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