Synonyms for defy
dɪˈfaɪ; ˈdi faɪde·fy

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.5 / 4 votes

1. defy

   Synonyms:
   scorn, challenge, provoke, despite, brave

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

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 SynonymesRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

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 WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defyverb

   Synonyms:
   challenge, dare, spurn, flout, scorn

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "defy":

   challenge, defying, flout, defies, defiant

Suggested Resources

1. DEFY

   What does DEFY stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the DEFY acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

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How to use defy in a sentence?

1. RAS CARDO REGGAE:

   I know that someday my works will be praised by the critics, revered by the skeptics, respected by the cynics, continue to be researched by the academics, and loved by all those who know truth throughout the world. it will defy description and pose a dire challenge to historical analysis. the truths I deliver stands on its own. I created reggae and told the world about- the technotyrannical society.

2. Kevin Landis:

   The Dow Jones is such a backwards-looking list, I cringed when Intel and Microsoft were added, i'm cringing today. Let's hope Apple can defy the forces of history.

3. Martin Sullivan:

   That defies common sense, but it does not defy the Martin Sullivan tax code.

4. 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.

5. Tony Sayegh:

   I like a lot of these programs and am willing to give them creative license, but when they try and take a legitimate political message being used in real time like ‘ make America great again ’ -- which incidentally is working -- and vilify it by connecting it to terrorism, they defy even the most generous level of objectivity.