Looking up...
defy
/dɪˈfaɪ/
to openly resist or refuse to obey
The rebels defied the government's orders.
They openly refused to follow the government's commands.
general
To openly resist or refuse to obey someone or something, often with boldness or determination.
She defied her parents' wishes and pursued her own career.
She refused to follow her parents' advice and chose her own path.
The athlete defied all odds to win the championship.
Despite the challenges, the athlete succeeded against expectations.
Often used to describe acts of courage or rebellion against authority or expectations.
Collocations
defy authorityto resist or refuse to obey those in powerdefy expectationsto perform better or differently than anticipateddefy the oddsto succeed despite difficult circumstances
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The word 'defy' often carries a sense of boldness or determination, so use it when describing acts of resistance or overcoming challenges.
Gold Rule
Use with Authority
'Defy' is often used when resisting authority or expectations, so ensure the context involves some form of challenge or opposition.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'defien', from Old French 'desfier', from Latin 'defidere' meaning 'to challenge'.
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally and metaphorically. Often implies a sense of courage or determination.
Word Breakdown
de-
intensifier or reversal
prefix-fy
to make or become
suffixEnglish Dictionary