defiantly

American  

[dih-fahy-uhnt-lee] / dɪˈfaɪ ənt li /

adverb

1. with daring or bold resistance to authority.

   In a fearless display, protesters chanted defiantly at police: "Come and shoot us with your tear gas!"

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Other Word Forms

• half-defiantly adverb
• nondefiantly adverb
• overdefiantly adverb
• quasi-defiantly adverb
• undefiantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of defiantly

defiant ( def. ) + -ly

Compare meaning

How does defiantly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• definitely vs. defiantly

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.

Example Sentences

Iran had previously said it was ready for any eventuality and defiantly refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which it closed in retaliation for the attack launched on February 28.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

But the museum was a defiantly freestanding building, whose vertical jumble of boxes is as essential to its identity as the continuous spiral of the Guggenheim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

“I’ll tell you why I’m doing this,” I said defiantly.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Anisimova, who enjoyed a breakout 2025 to emerge as a major force in women's tennis, defiantly held serve.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

I flick my eyes back to Mom and lift my chin defiantly.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy