defiant

adjective

de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
dē-
: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent
defiant rebels
a defiant refusal
Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.Christopher Ketcham

Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue. the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even physically, Williams shares an ape’s frank gaze and defiant chin. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024 The movie — which was originally released in 1990 — stars actor Macaulay Culkin as the defiant eight-year-old Kevin McAllister, who accidentally gets left at home while his family goes on vacation to Paris for Christmas. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Stricken from the Cannes lineup back in May on political grounds, the anthology was screened just outside the festival as an act of protest: a fitting premiere for a defiant act of creativity in the face of genocide. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 In one scene, she is chosen to sing for a live BBC wartime radio broadcast and performs this gentle but defiant song. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for defiant 

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from French défiant "mistrustful," from present participle of défier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defiant was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near defiant

Cite this Entry

“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defiant. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

defiant

adjective
de·​fi·​ant di-ˈfī-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio)
: full of or showing defiance : impudent, insolent
defiantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on defiant

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