defiance

¹ American  

[dih-fahy-uhns] / dɪˈfaɪ əns /

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.

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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.

Defiance ² American  

[dih-fahy-uhns] / dɪˈfaɪ əns /

noun

1. a city in NW Ohio.

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defiance British  

/ dɪˈfaɪəns /

noun

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

2. a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge

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defiance More Idioms  

1. see in defiance of.

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Other Word Forms

• nondefiance noun
• predefiance noun

Etymology

Origin of defiance

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

Example Sentences

It was confusion, or maybe wishful thinking, or was it outright defiance?

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Grenell’s tenure was marked by controversy every step of the way, which Grenell met with combative defiance, often slamming artists that criticized the center’s decisions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

“He sounds even more defiant, and more specific in his defiance, than his father,” said Hamidreza Azizi, visiting fellow and Iran expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

A Justice Department spokesperson expressed defiance, saying the administration planned to "defend against baseless lawsuits like this."

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

It ended not as a song but as an anthem in defiance of death and in praise of the men who wore the wings of gold.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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