as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiant
This is a show about pleasure and joy, but in a defiant way, not a naïve one.
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Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Yoon defended his actions in a defiant speech Thursday.
—Stella Kim, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2024
The finale was pure Beyoncé: bold, defiant, unforgettable.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024
It’s described as a defiant, fiery, blue-toned matte red lipstick.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defiant 
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Yoon defended his actions in a defiant speech Thursday.
—Stella Kim, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2024
The finale was pure Beyoncé: bold, defiant, unforgettable.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024
It’s described as a defiant, fiery, blue-toned matte red lipstick.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defiant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiant
Adjective
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Illiberal leaders select their cabinet members in the same way that emperors used to choose the governors of rebellious provinces: What matters most is the appointee’s loyalty and capacity to resist being suborned or co-opted by others.Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
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The news is a huge deal because rebellious Prince Fiyero is the ultimate catch for the students and Galinda.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Our Most Popular Stories of 2024 The artifacts of ancient technologies, the allure of rebel science, and many, many ghosts.JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
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Washington is now taking cautious steps to navigate its approach to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel faction that took down the government in Damascus.Natasha Frost, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Too light, and stubborn product residue, oil, and impurities linger.Erin Parker, Allure, 3 Jan. 2025
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The rebuild the Hawks tried to put behind them this season is clinging to them like stubborn lint.Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defiant
Cite this Entry
“Defiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiant. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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