defied

[dih-fahyd]

adjective

1. challenged or resisted boldly or openly; rebelled against.

   Both novels end with a degree of reconciliation and acceptance between the defied parent and the wayward child.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of defy.

Other Word Forms

• undefied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defied¹

First recorded in 1810–20; defy ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; defy ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Example Sentences

But the group, which has led demonstrations against the ban on Palestine Action, defied these calls and went ahead with the protest.

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The continued strength in spending, which has defied worries about a slowdown, is in contrast to recent data showing a weakening labour market.

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It is remarkable she has defied the odds.

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We've defied the odds time and time again and that propels you forward.

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The film is "a moving portrait of a couple whose five-decade-long relationship has defied the odds, at a pivotal moment in their lives", the billing said.

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Related Words

• confront 
• disregard 
• elude 
• flout 
• ignore 
• mock 
• oppose 
• provoke 
• resist 
• ridicule 
• spurn 
• thwart 
• violate 
• withstand