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Synonyms

in defiance of

Idioms  

  1. In spite of, with outright disregard for, as in They went on strike in defiance of union policy. This term was first recorded in 1750.

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.

Iran exported more oil in 2025 than it had done in years, smuggling crude in defiance of sanctions, mainly to China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, in defiance of Washington's warnings.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

That explains why a number of schools and businesses closed for the holiday in 2024 in defiance of the official change.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2025

But watching huge crowds march through Budapest to celebrate gay pride, free speech and the right to assemble - all in defiance of the ban - many wonder: could the liberal worldview bite back?

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025

Already on every village green throughout New England, men and boys were drilling in defiance of the King’s orders.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

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.