# defy

/dɪˈfaɪ/ (US) · /dɪfˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/defy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to disobey authority

verb · CEFR B2

to refuse to obey a person, a rule, or a law, often in a brave or open way.

For teachers: to challenge the power of someone or something; to refuse to obey a command or law openly.

- The young protesters chose to defy the government's ban on public meetings.
- The local council decided to defy the national directive, arguing that the new environmental regulations were impossible to implement locally.

### 3. to resist a natural force

verb · CEFR B2

to successfully resist something that usually limits people, like gravity or time.

For teachers: to resist or appear to resist a natural law or a seemingly inevitable outcome.

- The gymnast seemed to defy gravity as she flipped through the air.
- The athlete continues to defy the aging process, winning championships well into his late thirties while his peers have long since retired.

### 4. to renounce

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to officially reject a promise or a connection with someone.

For teachers: to renounce or dissolve all bonds of faith or obligation; to reject a formal connection.

- The knight chose to defy his former lord and join the rebellion.
- In the final act of the play, the protagonist formally defies his lineage, choosing exile over a corrupt inheritance.

## Examples

- The young protesters chose to defy the new law.
- The small village managed to defy the invading army for months despite having very few weapons or supplies.
- The beauty of the mountain range at sunset seemed to defy description, leaving the hikers in a state of silent awe that no photograph could ever truly capture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.