defy
verb (used with object)
to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly.
defies
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.
"You have a perfect storm that defies antibiotics."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
“It defies logic. It’s like the scale of the universe, it’s too big for humans to understand.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
This seems like a helpful tip for approaching boglands, and perhaps life itself—a rich, shifting terrain that defies permanent shape or solid boundaries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Zoe Kazan’s Cathy, which closely hews to Steinbeck’s original vision, defies easy assumptions about a woman’s wants and needs.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
It turns out that Buckingham Palace is big—so big that it almost defies description.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
