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defiant

adjective
deĀ·​fiĀ·​ant | \ di-ĖˆfÄ«-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio) , dē-\

Definition of defiant

: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : bold, impudent defiant rebels a defiant refusal Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots.— Christopher Ketcham
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Examples of defiant in a Sentence

He's taken a defiant stand on the issue. the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football

Recent Examples on the Web

 The meals on the eclectic menu are at once casually familiar and glamorously defiant. — Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, "Tulsa is in the throes of a dining renaissance," 2 Sep. 2019 Thereā€™s something defiant but soft and graceful in her walk. — FranƧoise Mouly, The New Yorker, "Malika Favreā€™s ā€œSweeping into Fallā€," 2 Sep. 2019 Best supporting actor Johnathan Abram, the rookie safety from Mississippi State, was playful, talkative and defiant all in the matter of a few minutes of air time. — Jon Becker, The Mercury News, "Handing out awards from Raidersā€™ opener on ā€˜Hard Knocksā€™," 8 Aug. 2019 And its private response to the NHTSA was equally defiant. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Feds told Tesla to stop making ā€œmisleading statementsā€ on Model 3 safety," 7 Aug. 2019 Thereā€™s nothing wrong with defiant optimism: Itā€™s is what longterm commitment is built on. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Chance the Rapper Wants You to Get Married," 30 July 2019 On his way back to the White House from Air Force One after departing from Singapore, Trump was in a defiant, even ebullient, mood. — Brian Bennett, Time, "This Is What Trumpā€™s Impulsive Diplomacy Looks Like," 14 June 2018 The school's headteacher, Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, has been defiant in the face of the protests. — Tara John, CNN, "Primary school lessons about LGBTQ rights spark months of protests in Britain's second city," 2 July 2019 My defiant company always vowed to keep mispronouncing the word anyway. — Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "Semantic Drift," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defiant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of defiant

1583, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for defiant

in part borrowed from French dƩfiant "mistrustful," from present participle of dƩfier "to mistrust, challenge, defy entry 1," going back to Old French; in part from defi(ance) + -ant entry 2

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More Definitions for defiant

defiant

adjective
How to pronounce defiant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of defiant

: refusing to obey something or someone : full of defiance

See the full definition for defiant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

defiant

adjective
deĀ·​fiĀ·​ant | \ di-ĖˆfÄ«-ənt How to pronounce defiant (audio) \

Kids Definition of defiant

: showing a willingness to resist ā€¦ the boy had not run but stood still and defiant ā€¦— William H. Armstrong, Sounder

Other Words from defiant

defiantly adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on defiant

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with defiant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defiant

Spanish Central: Translation of defiant

Nglish: Translation of defiant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of defiant for Arabic Speakers

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