Defy definition

dĭ-fī
defied defies defying
See word origin
Frequency:
To resist or oppose boldly or openly.
verb
14
1
To dare (someone) to do or prove something.
verb
7
4
(archaic) To challenge (someone) to fight.
verb
2
1
To defy is defined as to work against or resist something.

An example of to defy is to break a law by going on land that is posted with a no trespassing sign.

verb
1
0
To challenge or dare (someone) to do something.

She defied her accusers to prove their charges.

verb
1
0
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(obsolete) A challenge.

noun
1
0
To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.
verb
1
0
To challenge (someone) to do something difficult.

To defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

verb
1
0
To refuse to obey.

If you defy your teacher you will get the strap.

verb
1
0
To not conform to or follow a pattern or certain set of rules.
verb
1
0
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To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance.

Defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.

verb
0
0
To refuse to submit to or cooperate with.

Defied the court order by leaving the country.

verb
0
0
To be beyond the application or scope of; be contrary or resistant to.

An act that defies explanation; a problem that defies any conventional approach.

verb
2
3
A defiance or challenge.
noun
0
2
To resist completely in a baffling way.

The puzzle defied solution.

verb
1
5
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
defy
Plural:
defies

Origin of defy

  • Middle English defien from Old French desfier from Vulgar Latin disfīdāre Latin dis- dis- Latin fīdus faithful bheidh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfidare (“renounce one's faith”), from Latin dis- (“away”) + fidus (“faithful”). Meaning shifted 14c. from "be disloyal" to "challenge."

    From Wiktionary

Defy Sentence Examples

  • I tried to defy them once.

  • Algebra and geometry were the only studies that continued to defy my efforts to comprehend them.

  • It was, however, the first attempt ever made to defy the papal bull.

  • Old enough to defy me every chance he had.

  • The Danes, the southernmost branch of the Scandinavian family, referred to by Alfred (c. 890) as occupying Jutland, the islands and Scania, were, in 777, strong enough to defy the Frank empire by harbouring its fugitives.

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