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.

He was defying the inspectors’ authority—and risking imprisonment.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2025

On the floor, a 44-year-old man was defying the thump of a heavy landing to bounce back up.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

He would have told the state outright that he was defying the rules.

From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2022

Stuart Scheller, a combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, testified that he knew he was defying orders and that his life began “spiraling” after he posted his first video in August.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2021

I didn’t know what or whom he was defying.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini