defiant

[dih-fahy-uhnt]

adjective

1. characterized by defiance; boldly resistant or challenging.

   a defiant attitude.

   Synonyms: daring, insolent, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, contumacious, insubordinate
   Antonyms: obedient

Other Word Forms

• defiantly adverb
• defiantness noun
• half-defiant adjective
• nondefiant adjective
• nondefiantness noun
• overdefiant adjective
• overdefiantness noun
• quasi-defiant adjective
• undefiant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defiant¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from French défiant, Old French, present participle of defier “to challenge, defy”; defy, -ant

Example Sentences

Opener John Campbell hit his first Test century as a defiant West Indies moved 18 runs from making India bat again on day four of the second Test on Monday.

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Comey had struck a defiant tone in his first public remarks on the indictment, declaring his innocence in a video posted on social media.

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The human toll of the war, and Israel’s defiant response to international criticism, has turned some of its traditional Western allies against it.

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Slot was in defiant mood in the aftermath of another disappointment, going through his full range of brave faces while accentuating the positive in the face of evidence to the contrary.

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New Zealand captain Sophie Devine struck a defiant century of her own after coming in with her side 0-2, and briefly threatened to drag the White Ferns to a remarkable victory.

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