defied
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defied
First recorded in 1810–20; defy ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective; defy ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Still, some investors believe that the bull market has further room to run, underpinned by an earnings season that has defied expectations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
When the homicide rate was rising, it defied criminologists’ expectations, breaking away from the property crime decline of the 2010s.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
When we are asleep, our brain consolidates the memories of the day, processes emotions, and solves problems that defied it in the waking hours.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Fery, who arrived at the Championships as the world number 114 and had never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam, defied all expectations to reach the semi-finals.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
This bear had defied him, and he had hated it with every fiber of his existence.
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
