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Defying: meaning, definitions and examples

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defying

 

[ dɪˈfaɪɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

challenging authority

Resisting or challenging authority, rules, or conventions.

Synonyms

challenging, rebelling, resisting

Examples of usage

  • She was defying the school's dress code by wearing ripped jeans.
  • The protesters were defying the government's orders to disperse.
Context #2 | Verb

refusing to obey

Refusing to obey something or someone.

Synonyms

disobeying, disregarding, ignoring

Examples of usage

  • He kept defying his parents' instructions.
  • The criminal was defying the police's orders to surrender.

Translations

Translations of the word "defying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desafiando

🇮🇳 अवहेलना कर रहा है

🇩🇪 trotzend

🇮🇩 menentang

🇺🇦 кидаючи виклик

🇵🇱 przeciwstawiający się

🇯🇵 挑戦する (ちょうせんする)

🇫🇷 défiant

🇪🇸 desafiando

🇹🇷 meydan okuyan

🇰🇷 도전하는

🇸🇦 يتحدى

🇨🇿 vzdorující

🇸🇰 odporujúci

🇨🇳 挑战 (tiǎozhàn)

🇸🇮 kljubovalni

🇮🇸 ögrandi

🇰🇿 қарсы шығу

🇬🇪 გამოსწვევი

🇦🇿 meydan oxumaq

🇲🇽 desafiando

Word origin

The word 'defying' originated from the Middle English word 'defien', which came from the Old French word 'desfier', meaning 'to challenge'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century.

See also: defiance, defiant.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,735, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.