Word
defiant
Phoneticsde·fi·ant, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈfaɪənt/
UK/dɪfˈaɪənt/
Definition
adj. showing that you refuse to obey someone or something. You use this to describe someone who is being bold and challenging toward authority.
adj. showing open resistance or bold disobedience. Often used to describe a person's attitude or physical expression when facing opposition.
Examples
“The child stood with a defiant look on his face.”
“Despite the threat of a fine, the shopkeeper remained defiant and kept his store open during the holiday.”
“The protesters remained defiant in the face of the new legislation, gathering in the central square to voice their opposition despite the heavy police presence.”
Examples
simple
“The child stood with a defiant look on his face.”
contextual
“Despite the threat of a fine, the shopkeeper remained defiant and kept his store open during the holiday.”
complex
“The protesters remained defiant in the face of the new legislation, gathering in the central square to voice their opposition despite the heavy police presence.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain', 'stay', or 'look'.
Real-World Examples
“Rogers crashed an effort against the bar and Jack Wilshere’s side were defiant in defence.” “The paper says he has fired a "defiant warning to critics".” Etymology
Borrowed from French défiant, from the verb défier. Doublet of diffident. By surface analysis, def(i) + -ant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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