defiance

¹

[ dih-fahy-uhns ]

noun

1. a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
2. open disregard; contempt (often followed by of ):

   defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.

3. a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest.

Defiance

²

[ dih-fahy-uhns ]

noun

1. a city in NW Ohio.

defiance

/ dɪˈfaɪəns /

noun

1. open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power
2. a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge

Other Words From

• nonde·fiance noun
• prede·fiance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defiance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French; equivalent to defy + -ance

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bid defiance to, to offer resistance; defy.
2. in defiance of, in spite of; notwithstanding:

   There was a splendid audience in defiance of the rainstorm.

More idioms and phrases containing defiance

see in defiance of .

Example Sentences

Or you may not have many—or any—friends, recasting your social exclusion as brave defiance of social norms.

From The Daily Beast

Another 10 slaves threw themselves overboard in a display of defiance at the inhumanity.

From The Daily Beast

In defiance, I held my ticket above my head, which triggered the spitting and chants of “How Dare You!”

From The Daily Beast

She had just shot her arrow at an electric force field, an apparently society-changing act of defiance.

From The Daily Beast

The economy in Aleppo barely exists, and the attitude of those who remain hovers somewhere between defiance and defeat.

From The Daily Beast

Two of the artillerymen who had not been injured came to his assistance, and again the gun was thundering forth its defiance.

From Project Gutenberg

Others now rushed to the rescue, the artillery men came back, and once more the guns were thundering their defiance.

From Project Gutenberg

It would have been a sort of review—in the face of the city of Dublin, in open defiance of all order and government.

From Project Gutenberg

From its strongly fortified position Havana set the buccaneers at defiance, and sometimes saved the whole island from ruin.

From Project Gutenberg

Madame had risen hastily, fear and defiance blending in her face, and she had at once commanded mademoiselle's withdrawal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confrontation
• contempt
• opposition
• provocation
• rebellion
• spite