defiant

American  

[dih-fahy-uhnt] / dɪˈfaɪ ənt /

adjective

1. characterized by defiance; boldly resistant or challenging.

   a defiant attitude.

   Synonyms:

   daring, insolent, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, contumacious, insubordinate

   Antonyms:

   obedient

---

Other Word Forms

• defiantly adverb
• defiantness noun
• half-defiant adjective
• nondefiant adjective
• nondefiantness noun
• overdefiant adjective
• overdefiantness noun
• quasi-defiant adjective
• undefiant adjective

Etymology

Origin of defiant

First recorded in 1830–40; from French défiant, Old French, present participle of defier “to challenge, defy”; defy, -ant

Example Sentences

Resilient pillars of the U.S. economy, chief among them its defiant consumer base, propelled growth in the face of headwinds.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Mauren strikes a defiant tone, saying that the country will always "find a way to move forward" in a crisis, but admits to being worried about the prospect of potentially giving birth during another blackout.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Once hostilities began, Araghchi struck a defiant tone over missile and drone attacks on Iran’s neighbors, even while he insisted he had no influence to stop them, the Arab officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

It pairs majestically with Weaving’s defiant chin and gleaming eyes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

He, wheeling once above them, screamed the hawk’s scream of defiant rage, and then shot on across the low beaches of Osskil, out over the breakers of the sea.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin