Definitions for defy
dɪˈfaɪ; ˈdi faɪde·fy

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. defy, withstand, hold, hold upverb

   resist or confront with resistance

   "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"

2. defy, resist, refuseverb

   elude, especially in a baffling way

   "This behavior defies explanation"

3. defy, dareverb

   challenge

   "I dare you!"

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.5 / 4 votes

1. defyverb

   To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

2. defyverb

   To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt.

   to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

3. Etymology: From desfier, from *, from dis- + fidus. Meaning shifted 14c. from "be disloyal" to "challenge."

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Defynoun

   A challenge; an invitation to fight.

   Etymology: from the verb.

   At this the challenger, with fierce defy,
   His trumpet sounds; the challeng’d makes reply:
   With clangour rings the field, resounds the vaulted sky. Dryd.

2. To DEFYverb

   Etymology: deffier, Fr. from de fide decedere, or some like phrase, to fall from allegiance to rebellion, contempt, or insult.

   1. To call to combat; to challenge.

   I once again
   Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. John Milton, Agonistes.

   Where seek retreat, now innocence is fled!
   Safe in that guard, I durst even hell defy;
   Without it, tremble now, when heav’n is nigh. Dryden.

   Agis, the Lycian, stepping forth with pride,
   To single fight the boldest foe defy’d. John Dryden, Æn.

   2. To treat with contempt; to slight.

   I do know
   As many fools that stand in better place,
   Garnish’d like him, that for a tricksy word
   Defy the matter. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Defy

   To defy means to challenge or combat.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defy

   To defy means to openly resist, refuse to obey, or challenge something or someone, typically an established authority, convention, or rule. It can also signify going against the odds or expectations.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Defyverb

   to renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce

2. Defyverb

   to provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion

3. Defynoun

   a challenge

4. Etymology: [F. dfier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Defy

   de-fī′, v.t. to challenge: to brave: (obs.) to discard, dislike:—pr.p. defy′ing; pa.p. defied′.—n. (Dryden) a defiance.—n. Defī′er. [O. Fr. defier—Low L. diffidāre, to renounce faith or allegiance—L. dis, asunder, and fīdĕre, to trust—fĭdes, faith.]

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. DEFY

   What does DEFY stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the DEFY acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Challenge

Anagrams for defy »

1. yfed

How to pronounce defy?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say defy in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of defy in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of defy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of defy in a Sentence

1. Police Chief Richard Biehl:

   It seems to just defy believability he would shoot his own sister, but its also hard to believe that he didnt recognize it was his sister, so we just dont know.

2. Taco Bell:

   For decades we've been committed to providing a fast, safe and friendly drive-thru experience, now with our bold goal of creating a two minute or less drive-thru experience for customers of this concept, Taco Bell Defy is the future.

3. Nancy Pelosi:

   The House and Senate resoundingly rejected the president's lawless power grab, yet the president has chosen to continue to defy the Constitution, the Congress and the will of the American people.

4. Attorney General Bill Barr:

   Most of the governors do what bureaucrats always do, which is they... defy common sense, they treat free citizens as babies that can't take responsibility for themselves and others.

5. RAS CARDO REGGAE:

   I know that someday my works will be praised by the critics, revered by the skeptics, respected by the cynics, continue to be researched by the academics, and loved by all those who know truth throughout the world. it will defy description and pose a dire challenge to historical analysis. the truths I deliver stands on its own. I created reggae and told the world about- the technotyrannical society.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=defy
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Defy
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=defy
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defy
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defy
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=defy