# defying

/dɪˈfaɪɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪfˈaɪɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/defying
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to refuse to obey a person, a rule, or a law. It can also mean doing something that seems impossible, like a person who survives a very dangerous accident.

For teachers: to openly resist or refuse to obey; to challenge the power or authority of someone or something. Often describes actions that appear to transcend physical laws or conventional expectations.

## Examples

- The young athlete is defying the odds by winning every race.
- By refusing to pay the illegal fine, the small business owner is openly defying the local council.
- The ancient cathedral remains standing today, defying the passage of time and the numerous conflicts that have leveled the surrounding city over the centuries.

## Pitfalls

- Not "defying to the rules" but "defying the rules" — Defy is a transitive verb and should not be followed by the preposition 'to'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; it is the present participle of 'defy'.

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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.