Defiance meaning

dĭ-fī'əns
The act of defying; open, bold resistance to authority or opposition.
noun
4
2
Intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude; readiness to contend or resist.
noun
3
1
Defiance is defined as the act of standing up to an opponent or authority.

An example of defiance is a group of nurses walking out on the job and picketing against the hospital.

noun
2
0
A challenge.
noun
2
1
The act or an example of defying; bold resistance to an opposing force or authority.
noun
2
2
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The feeling, or spirit of being defiant.
noun
1
0

Origin of defiance

Middle English defiaunce from Old French desfiance from desfier to defy defy

Sentence Examples

  • Despite her defiance, her voice shook.

  • There was challenge and defiance in her gaze.

  • Aggravated by her second display of defiance in one night, he crossed to her and planted his hands on either side of her chair, demanding her attention.

  • The leading British ship, the "Defiance" (74), carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Graves, anchored just south of the Trekroner.

  • It was in defiance of this right that Alva refused the claim of Counts Egmont and Horn to be tried by the knights of the Fleece in 1568.

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Words near defiance in the Dictionary