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Defied: meaning, definitions and examples

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defied

 

[ dɪˈfaɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Defied is the past tense of the verb 'defy', which means to openly resist or refuse to obey. When someone defies something, they challenge authority or an established standard. This can manifest in various forms such as civil disobedience, open rebellion, or simply refusing to comply with requests. The act of defiance is often associated with bravery, as it may involve standing up against powerful opponents or societal norms.

Synonyms

challenged, disobeyed, opposed

Examples of usage

  • She defied the orders given by her superiors.
  • They defied the odds by succeeding against all expectations.
  • The artist defied convention with her unconventional style.
  • He defied gravity with his daring stunt.

Translations

Translations of the word "defied" in other languages:

🇵🇹 definido

🇮🇳 परिभाषित

🇩🇪 definiert

🇮🇩 ditentukan

🇺🇦 визначений

🇵🇱 zdefiniowany

🇯🇵 定義された

🇫🇷 défini

🇪🇸 definido

🇹🇷 tanımlanmış

🇰🇷 정의된

🇸🇦 معرف

🇨🇿 definovaný

🇸🇰 definovaný

🇨🇳 定义的

🇸🇮 določen

🇮🇸 skilgreindur

🇰🇿 анықталған

🇬🇪 განისაზღვრა

🇦🇿 təyin edilmiş

🇲🇽 definido

Etymology

The word 'defy' originates from the Old French term 'defier', which meant to challenge or affront. Its roots can be traced further back to the Latin word 'defiare', which also implies opposition or challenge. The term has evolved over time, but its core meaning of resisting authority or conventions has remained consistent. In Middle English, the word was used similarly to denote a challenge in personal combat or a challenge to the established order. The sense of bravery associated with defiance has tethered itself closely to the concept throughout history, especially in contexts such as social movements and revolution.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,353, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.