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.

His characters have aged in subsequent books, but the city has defied the laws of entropy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

But Telemundo has defied such forecasts to become one of the nation’s hottest news outlets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

While Nichola says Lou has "defied the odds" and attends a mainstream school, she suffers with mental processing difficulties, mood disorders and behavioural conditions.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Calvert-Lewin has defied his critics since joining Leeds in August, scoring eight goals in his last 10 league matches after netting just three times in the final season of an injury-plagued spell with Everton.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

This contentment has defied all winds and weathers—in plenty of which we have for the last two months rejoiced.

From The Letters of Henry James (volume I) by James, Henry