defiant
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defiant
First recorded in 1830–40; from French défiant, Old French, present participle of defier “to challenge, defy”; see defy, -ant
Explanation
Have you ever seen a picture of a protester who is about to be carried off by police but is still shouting or resisting, fighting to the bitter end? That person is defiant. Someone who is defiant is bold, even in the face of defeat. A defiant person is usually fighting a powerful enemy. People who protest in countries controlled by dictators are defiant. Rosa Parks was defiant when she refused to give up her seat on the bus, even though the law at that time dictated that black people had to stand when whites needed a seat. Small children are defiant too, sometimes over nothing more than a request to share their toys.
Vocabulary lists containing defiant
List 3
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 1
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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.
While Metcalf’s Linda adopts a facade of stoicism to shield her family from the grief erupting in her, Abbott’s Biff is forced to reveal the broken man behind the defiant veneer.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
At one point, Hegseth hit back with a defiant tone, telling a congressman "shame on you".
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
Kimmel has refused to apologize and remains defiant on air, pointing out on his Tuesday show that Donald made a quip about his own mortality to Melania during King Charles’ White House visit.
From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026
Since taking office just over one year ago, Carney has maintained a defiant tone in response to Trump's threats, insisting Canada will not buckle when faced with unreasonable trade demands.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
“What does defiant mean, Mommy? What did the king do?”
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
