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

The dictator is clearly nervous, alternating between pleas for “peace” and defiant calls for national resistance.

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Like many Ukrainians, Melnychenko remains defiant—unwilling to cave to Russia at the negotiating table, even under U.S. pressure.

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Nearly four years later, Zelensky, clad in black, recorded another video near the same spot—more downcast than defiant, preparing his people for the potential loss of a major ally.

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The government in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, has tried to maintain a defiant but diplomatic tone.

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Ukrainians both under and free of Russian occupation struck a defiant tone in reaction to news of the US proposal.

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