Defiance

¹

[dih-fahy-uhns]

noun

1. a city in NW Ohio.

defiance

²

[dih-fahy-uhns]

noun

1. a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.

2. open disregard; contempt (often followed byof ).

   defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.

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

defiance

/ dɪˈfaɪəns /

noun

1. open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power

2. a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge

Other Word Forms

• nondefiance noun
• predefiance 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.

see in defiance of.

Example Sentences

In defiance of the governor’s proclamation, Rhode Islanders went to work on Dec. 1 and declined to attend religious services.

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These oddballs have little in common besides their defiance of village norms and their families’ mutual disapproval.

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Today, the defiance of Mr. Khamenei appears neither scripted nor rehearsed.

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But Obasi suggests the attacks "may also be acts of defiance by some armed groups, taunting the US to make good on its threat of military action in Nigeria".

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It was seen by the Nazi authorities as provocative defiance.

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Related Words

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