defiantly
Americanadverb
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Etymology
Origin of defiantly
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Explanation
If you act defiantly, you’re a rebel. On "Everyone Wear Red" Day, you show up defiantly dressed in head-to-toe blue, or white, or, well, anything but red. Defiantly is an adverb that is linked to the noun defiance which is defined as "bold disobedience." It is one thing to behave badly and hope to get away with it. It is quite another to want to be seen behaving badly — that's action done defiantly: it defies, or openly goes against an order or rule. People who act defiantly might have a good reason — or they might just want attention.
Vocabulary lists containing defiantly
"The Lottery," Vocabulary from the short story
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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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.
The crown prince’s half-brother, the kingdom’s energy minister, did defiantly assert there is “no room for fear in the vocabulary of Saudis.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
There are no emotions in it, only our own cold and cruel fears reflected back at us, as with a shot of Cruise standing defiantly in front of a mirror rimmed by antlers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
A day earlier, troops had taken down most of a tent but settlers defiantly remained at the site with blankets.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Ebra grins mischievously, almost defiantly, and they begin to prep for an unpredictable day of service that plays out over seven of the season’s eight episodes.
From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026
It opened its mouth to say something else, then glared at the princess, who glared back defiantly.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
